Manchester United may have to get creative this summer if they want to offload Marcus Rashford from their wage books.
Marcus Rashford looks set to leave Manchester United after being deemed surplus to requirements by Rúben Amorim.
The Academy graduate has made 426 appearances for the club, scoring 138 goals and providing 77 assists, but his time at Old Trafford appears to be coming to an end.
A reported clash with Amorim over his training standards saw Rashford loaned to Aston Villa for the second half of the 2024/25 season.
Although he impressed during his spell in Birmingham, Villa chose not to take up their £40 million option to buy, and Rashford is now available for transfer at a similar price.
Rashford open to transfer swap this summer
While Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, and Antony are all expected to leave permanently this summer, Rashford’s future is much more complicated, considering United’s £40 million demands and his wage of over £300,000 per week.
The winger has made it clear that he prefers to sign for Barcelona, but his future is still considered to be very open.
Rashford is not short of interest from around Europe, and according to The Athletic, although United want a permanent sale, the player is open to leaving Old Trafford on loan or even as part of a swap deal.
BILD in Germany has claimed that German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are contemplating a move for Rashford after losing Leroy Sane after the German’s contract expired.
The 27-year-old on their shortlist of options alongside Bayern’s shortlist, along with names such as Bradley Barcola, Luis Diaz, Rafael Leao and Nico Williams.
There are two most likely players United would look to swap Rashford for
With United possibly needing to become creative regarding Rashford’s impending exit, a swap deal could become an increasingly likely possibility.
However, instead of a direct swap, two distinct transfers could take place. One club could pay United’s £40 million asking price for Rashford, and in return, Amorim’s side would pay a separate transfer fee for one of their players, thereby allowing both clubs more financial flexibility.
With Barcelona, this could come in the form of a move for goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. United’s current shot stopper, André Onana, is odds-on to stay at United, but may still leave this summer if United receive a suitable offer or if Amorim finds a suitable replacement.
In the last week or so, there have been reports that United see the German international as a realistic upgrade on Onana who would bring experience and assurance to the club’s defence.
As for the possibility of a two-way transfer with Bayern Munich, it is likely that United would eye the signing of João Palhinha, whom they have held an interest in. The 29-year-old has Premier League experience with Fulham—something Amorim wants in many of his signings this summer—and is available for around £25 million.
“João Palhinha is exactly the type of player that Manchester United need. I wasn’t surprised when he moved from Fulham to Bayern because I thought he was outstanding,” former United coach Rene Meulensteen recently stated.
“He was outstanding in making interceptions but also on the ball he was very, very good. It’s been a bit of a surprise that he hasn’t clicked there, but sometimes that happens in football.
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“Palhinha is the type of player that has Premier League experience and can play the role they need. Bruno Fernandes is a free spirit and in having him deeper you stifle his creativity which is his biggest weapon.
“He sees runs that nobody else sees, there was a clear link between him and Marcus Rashford in that sense and to a lesser extent with Alejandro Garnacho.
“That was gone out the window with Ruben Amorim’s system, the full-backs have to come from too deep and they can’t cover the distance. Having Palhinha will help Bruno get further forward, then the system needs to allow runners too.”
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