Marcus Rashford’s future continues to dominate headlines and will continue to do so until Manchester United can find a solution.
Even during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Boxing Day encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers, most of the questions asked to Ruben Amorim were on the Mancunian’s future.
The issue is threatening to distract the players with the dressing room upset with the timing of his infamous interview while the head coach is far from pleased with the forward’s personal team.
United will actively look for a solution in the January market should they receive concrete bids and in case the Englishman is moved on, the club have outlined a couple of names as possible replacements.
Replacements for Rashford
Teamtalk have revealed that Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton and Hove Albion and Athletic Club winger Nico Williams are all on the list.
The Georgian will be too expensive for the Red Devils, especially mid-season and if at all the club go for him, it is likely to be in the summer.
Plenty of other clubs are already interested in the Spaniard and it is unlikely that Athletic Bilbao will agree to move the Euro 2024 star on in January.
Among the trio, the Japanese seems the most affordable but with Brighton also struggling for consistency (without a win in their last five games), it remains to be seen if the Seagulls agree to part ways with the 27-year-old.
“While waiting for Rashford’s future to be clarified, sources have revealed to TEAMtalk that Man Utd are in the early stages of looking at some potential replacements.
“Napoli superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has plenty of admirers at Old Trafford, but he would be very expensive mid-season. Also on the Red Devils’ shortlist is Brighton’s Karou Mitoma and Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, who was electric in Euro 2024.”
The Japanese international’s form has also plummeted since his 2021/22 heroics, when he was termed the dribbling master, with Mitoma managing only three goals and two assists thus far, not exactly the kind of goalscoring output United need currently.
However, it must be remembered that for any replacement to be brought in, Rashford’s future first needs to be decided.
Where will Rashford go?
It will not be easy for INEOS, who have supported Amorim’s stance, to find a solution with the Red Devils holding out for £50 million to £60 million.
That figure coupled with the England international’s humongous £375,000 per week wages (as per capology) means not too many clubs can afford the 27-year-old.
Long-term admirers Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have both left the race while Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce would find it hard to fund a permanent move for the United No 10.
Saudi Pro League sides have the finances to afford such a deal but the United star currently has no intention of moving to the Middle East at this stage of his career.
Loan offers have arrived but are unlikely to be sanctioned. INEOS have a huge conundrum to solve in the coming days.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
