Manchester United have been linked with five wingers to replace Marcus Rashford including some of the hottest talents and prospects in world football
Michael Carrick and Manchester United have been forced to endure an extended break following their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.
United were absent from FA Cup duty over the weekend after being knocked out in January by Brighton, meaning they will end the season without silverware. Manager Carrick suffered his first loss as interim manager last week when his team travelled to St James’ Park, only to be outplayed by 10-man Newcastle. A late William Osula strike made it 2-1 and clinched all three points for the hosts.
But overall the picture is positive – United are third in the Premier League which represents a brilliant turnaround since Ruben Amorim’s sacking – and next for Carrick’s squad is a meeting with fellow top-four contenders Aston Villa. Meanwhile, summer transfer speculation is heating up. Here’s all the latest news from Old Trafford.
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Marcus Rashford replacement candidates identified
Having moved to Spain last summer on an initial loan deal, Marcus Rashford has excelled. He has bagged 10 goals and provided 13 assists for Barcelona across all competitions this season.
Rashford has flourished under Hansi Flick and the anticipation is that Barcelona will exercise the option to secure him permanently, whether that’s the reported £26m clause or a reduced negotiated sum.
Should Rashford depart, then United would presumably seek to acquire a replacement. According to reports, there are five names on their wishlist.
United are said to have RB Leipzig’s £87m-rated Ivorian winger Yan Diomande, 19, and Como 1907’s 20-year-old Spanish star Jesus Rodriguez, valued at £48m, on their radar, with Strasbourg’s Ivory Coast winger Martial Godo, 22, formerly of Fulham before a £6m transfer last summer, also being weighed up.
Furthermore, United are believed to be tracking Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye, the 26-year-old Senegalese star who can offer a one-on-one threat and Premier League experience, but could cost as much as £80m.
Reports also spotlight Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola as a frontrunner – despite the 23-year-old French ace expected to command a transfer fee in excess of £100m.
Casemiro U-turn plea
One United star who is almost certainly saying his goodbyes come the end of this season is Casemiro. The Brazilian star’s contract expires in the summer and the club have already confirmed they will not be extending it.
Yet in recent months, the 34-year-old has been performing at an exceptionally high standard and United legend Bryan Robson has urged Carrick to reverse the decision to allow him to depart.
Robson told BoyleSports: “I would encourage Casemiro to stay. He’s had a really good season this year. He’s a top player. He’s got a great football brain. He’s a really good passer of the ball.
“He heads the ball well and when he goes in to tackle, he means it. You don’t stay at Real Madrid for the amount of years he did and win Champions League titles if you’re not an absolute top player.
“People see what you’re really good at. So I think next season he could definitely give us a little bit more with his experience. He was great in Europe last year too.”