Marcus Rashford and four other Manchester United stars were told that they didn’t have to report back for pre-season training this week as they explore moves away
Marcus Rashford reported back for pre-season training at Manchester United on Monday and Tuesday – despite being given extra time off to find a new club. Rashford, 27, was among five players who United told could return to Carrington at a later date if they were unable to secure a transfer.
But the England international still arrived at the Red Devils’ training centre. Rashford worked individually and wasn’t part of any sessions with rest of Ruben Amorim’s squad, the Athletic report.
That group of players included new £62.5million signing Matheus Cunha, who the club announced in a social media post on Tuesday had taken the No.10 shirt from Rashford. United said on Friday that Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia would be allowed to return later in July amid their uncertain futures.
Carrington’s medical and rehabilitation services have remained available to the players during their extended summer breaks. It was reported last week that all five stars had asked to leave United, although some of the players’ representatives have denied this.
Garnacho has been linked with moves to Chelsea and Napoli, Antony is wanted by Real Betis and it’s been claimed in Italy that Sancho has agreed terms with Juventus. Malacia, meanwhile, is said to be struggling to attract buyers.
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Barcelona are the favourites to sign Rashford after missing out on top target Nico Williams, who’s signed a new 10-year contract with Athletic Bilbao. Luis Diaz is an option, although Liverpool recently rebuffed an approach from Bayern Munich.
It’s been reported in Spain that Rashford would be willing to take a sizeable pay cut on his £325,000-a-week salary in order to join Barca, who’d prefer a loan deal given that United are demanding £40m. The Red Devils want to raise funds before making any further signings beyond Cunha and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, as talks between the clubs over a potential £63m deal continue.
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Amorim wants to refresh his attack which is why Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho and Antony are on the chopping block. Should they manage to offload their unwanted stars, United plan to dip into the striker market, having missed out on Liam Delap to Chelsea earlier in the window and Viktor Gyokeres – who worked with Amorim at Sporting Lisbon – set to sign for Arsenal.
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