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The five favourites to sign Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford has suggested he is ready to leave Manchester United, with the forward revealing he is open to a new challenge.

Rashford’s revelation comes after he was dropped from the squad for the Manchester Derby at the weekend and could indicate the end is near for his time at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since progressing from the club’s academy system but has struggled to reach his best level consistently. A regular target for criticism, he now feels a new challenge is the best route for his career.

“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” Rashford said in an interview with Henry Winter on Tuesday.

“When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.

“If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.”

So where could Rashford go? We’ve looked at the five favourites to sign the forward.

The five favourites to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United

Chelsea

Chelsea are overloaded with attacking options right now but have been priced as joint-fourth favourites by the bookmakers to sign Rashford. The news of Mykhailo Mudryk’s positive doping test and Christopher Nkunku’s desire for greater game time could lead to Chelsea revisiting the market for an attacking addition. Chelsea signed Jadon Sancho on loan from Manchester United and the winger has shown positive signs since moving to Stamford Bridge. Rashford could look to follow that blueprint after an underwhelming recent period at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford has scored 31 times against the ‘Big Six’ Premier League sides while he’s been at Man United:

7 goals vs. Liverpool

6 goals vs. Man City

6 goals vs. Arsenal

6 goals vs. Chelsea

6 goals vs. Tottenham

Loves a big game. pic.twitter.com/8IgY2W8tKY

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 18, 2024

Barcelona – 11/1

Barcelona have been linked with signing Rashford with the Catalans open to a left-sided addition. The La Liga side pursued a deal for Nico Williams in the summer, following the Athletic Bilbao winger’s performances at Euro 2024. Rashford could offer an alternative, amid expected strong competition from the Premier League for Williams next summer.

Arsenal –

Could Arsenal emerge as an option for Rashford? Manchester United are unlikely to want to sell to a direct rival but the two clubs have done business previously. Much has been made of Arsenal’s right-sided reliance of late, as Gabriel Martinelli has struggled for output from the left wing this season. Rashford can be similarly streaky around goal, but certainly has a high ceiling.

Any Saudi club

Saudi Pro League sides are sure to be in the mix for Rashford’s signing with plenty of funds available to get a deal done. Al-Ittihad have already been credited as interested, though it remains to be seen whether Rashford would consider a Saudi switch at this stage of his career. The likes of Jordan Henderson and Ivan Toney have seen their England ambitions all but ended after moves to the Middle East.

Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain appears the likeliest destination for Rashford with the French champions possessing a long-standing interest in the player. In 2022, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi openly discussed interest in signing Rashford before he put pen to paper on a new deal at Old Trafford.

Having failed to sign a direct replacement for Kylian Mbappe in the summer, Rashford looks like a viable option for the Ligue 1 giants. Luis Enrique remains unconvinced by either Randal Kolo Muani or Goncalo Ramos, with another attacking addition a priority in Paris.