Manchester United are planning for the future, with the sale of Marcus Rashford in the summer transfer window and the building of a new stadium at Old Trafford top priorities
Manchester United are already looking ahead to the future during the international break, with many big decisions in the pipeline for those in power. Ruben Amorim wants to reshape his squad in the summer transfer window, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos leadership team are continuing to make unpopular decisions behind the scenes.
United sit 13th in the Premier League, with nine matches of a miserable campaign remaining. Ratcliffe’s first year in charge has not been a successful one, with the petrochemicals billionaire making huge changes in a bid to save money.
He has ambitious plans to build a brand-new stadium to replace Old Trafford, while he hopes that Amorim will succeed in turning things around on the pitch as the uncertainty since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson 12 years ago continues apace.
Here are the latest headlines involving the team.
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Rashford transfer in doubt
Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Aston Villa has started out promisingly, with the United striker getting back into the England squad after a year on the outside thanks to his form. He has contributed four assists for Villa since leaving Old Trafford for the rest of the season and his future is the subject of some speculation.
Villa have the chance to make the move permanent, with United hoping they will stump up as much as £60million to sign him, given Amorim has no interest in offering him a route back into his starting XI. Rashford has previously been tempted to move abroad, with Barcelona one of his favoured destinations.
However, that possibility could be a non-starter with reports in Spain suggesting that Barca are interested in signing Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, instead of Rashford. Lookman would cost around £25m (€30m) – much cheaper than the England forward.
Stadium plan challenged
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is facing a backlash to his plans to build a new £2billion, 100,000-seat stadium on the Old Trafford site. Ratcliffe is courting public money for the scheme, which Ineos claims will provide £7.3bn per year to the UK economy, 92,000 new jobs, more than 17,000 new homes and 1.8 million more visitors annually.
However, Graham Stringer, a Labour MP and former leader of Manchester city council, believes it is “outrageous” that Ratcliffe is hoping to use tax payers’ money to further his own business interests.
He told the Observer : “The stadium doesn’t happen without public funds. Any representations to local or central government for public money to go into this scheme should be refused.”
Youngster close to involvement
Injuries to Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton have opened the door for a potential appearance for United youngster Elyh Harrison. The Manchester Evening News notes that Harrison has been impressing since being recalled from his loan at National League North side Chester City in January.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper was on the bench alongside 22-year-old Dermot Mee for the 3-0 win over Leicester last weekend. The duo were unused substitutes, yet were close to involvement, with Andre Onana struggling battling through illness to play in goal as usual.
Harrison has been on the bench for both legs of the Europa League games against Real Sociedad and for the last six Premier League fixtures. He has been praised by under-21s goalkeeping coach Tommy Lee and could yet be thrust into the spotlight, like young defender Ayden Heaven.
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