Manchester United may be trying to focus on arrivals this summer, but departures will be equally as important for Ineos.
It is the attack that will undergo the biggest change this summer for Manchester United, with potentially an entirely new department arriving.
To start, United signed Matheus Cunha, an addition in the left-sided number 10 role, which is a major upgrade on the previous options Ruben Amorim had to use last season.
There will be an equally huge upgrade on the right side, with United pushing to close the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, with a £60m fee reportedly on the cards.
Following this, just a striker would remain to give United an entirely new starting front three, which is an exciting prospect after how terrible the 2024-25 season was in attack.
This will see casualties with five attackers on the chopping block, among them is Marcus Rashford, who is currently set to return for pre-season after an unsuccessful loan at Aston Villa.
Marcus Rashford holding ball in Aston Villa kit.
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Marcus Rashford remains set on Barcelona move this summer
After failing to light up the Premier League for Villa, Rashford’s summer prospects of easily obtaining a big move looked slim. Despite setting his eyes on Barcelona, a deal has never looked imminent, with Barcelona looking to trigger Nico Williams’ release fee, ignoring Rashford.
However, despite this, United in Focus has been told by Graeme Bailey that this deal remains very much a possibility for Rashford, even with the Catalan side completing other deals.
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“Marcus Rashford remains clear on his future, he wants Barcelona – I am told that Williams’ interest does not bring an end to his interest in Barca or vice versa. Barca want a striker and that could very well be Rashford”, Bailey explained to United in Focus.
“It’s understood that Marcus Rashford remains committed to joining Barcelona this summer, despite the Catalan giants making their move for Nico Williams. Barcelona wanted a left-sided forward, and they have had talks regarding Rashford, Williams, and Liverpool’s Luis Diaz.
“Williams has long been seen as a ‘dream signing’ by Joan Laporta and Barcelona. Williams has also shunned chances to move, most recently with Arsenal and Bayern Munich, who were never convinced he wanted to leave Spain.
“Despite Williams being in their sights, we are told by sources that they retain an interest in signing Rashford on loan, given his ability to play across the front-line, including centrally.
“Barcelona, who have approached United this summer, made it clear they would only look at an initial loan, and now they are signing Williams, that aspect of any move for Rashford will not change.
“Rashford has made it clear to United all summer that he only wanted to join Barcelona, and that stance has not changed, and is unlikely to anytime soon. As it stands, there have been no offers or approaches from any club, other than Barca, for Rashford.”
With pre-season beginning in the next few weeks, deals need to start accelerating, and in a bid to show Rashford the door, Amorim has taken an extreme measure.
Ruben Amorim revokes Marcus Rashford’s number 10 shirt at Manchester United
The 27-year-old’s exit from the club is far from an exit, and in fact, Rashford is still listed on the United shop as a number and number option for the new kit.
This sparked debate around whether Rashford could return for United, or not, with the main hurdle being Amorim, with the Portuguese demanding an apology.
Well now, Manchester Evening News‘ Samuel Luckhurst has claimed that Amorim is set to leave zero doubt over where Rashford stands by revoking his number 10 shirt this summer and handing it to new signing Cunha.
Cunha demanded the number 10 shirt during personal term negotiations, and looks set to get his desire. Cunha idolised Wayne Rooney growing up, and so would be following in his footsteps with the 10.