Man Utd immediately ‘open talks’ with next signing after Marcus Rashford departure set to be confirmed
Manchester United appear to be preparing for life after Marcus Rashford, with reports suggesting the club is actively eyeing a replacement just as news broke that the 27-year-old winger is on the move. Rashford, currently not in manager Rúben Amorim’s plans, has been sent out on loan to Aston Villa for the second half of the 2024/25 season. His omission from the squad that faced Leeds United in a pre-season friendly in Sweden only further confirms that his future at Old Trafford is in serious doubt.
While his relationship with Amorim seemed potentially salvageable at one point, recent developments suggest otherwise. At the same time, Barcelona have reportedly stepped up efforts to secure Rashford on a loan deal that includes an option to buy. The La Liga giants, who have long admired Rashford, are pushing ahead with negotiations. Their sporting director, Deco, previously expressed interest in the English forward, naming him alongside Luis Díaz as a player who could elevate Barca’s squad.
Rashford hasn’t openly expressed a desire to join Barcelona, but his comments during a June interview certainly fuel speculation. He spoke highly of Barca’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, calling the 18-year-old’s performances extraordinary and even admitting he’d love to share the pitch with him someday.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have turned their attention to a possible successor—Randal Kolo Muani. The French forward, currently on the books at Paris Saint-Germain, spent the latter half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Juventus, where he scored 10 goals and provided three assists in just 22 appearances. His form has attracted interest from both United and Newcastle, according to Footmercato.
Kolo Muani, 26, joined PSG in 2023 for a hefty £76.4 million fee but has since struggled to establish himself in a squad filled with attacking talent, including Barcola, Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Desire Doue. With his market value now estimated around €30 million (£26.1 million), PSG may be willing to part ways with him as they look to restructure their forward line following a treble-winning season.
Tactically, Kolo Muani fits the mold of what Amorim demands—versatile, intelligent, and relentless in his off-the-ball work. Able to play out wide or through the middle, he brings a consistency in pressing and positional discipline that Rashford has been criticized for lacking in recent months.
As United prepare for a potential Rashford exit—whether his future lies in Spain or elsewhere—they seem determined to move quickly to secure a forward who aligns with Amorim’s system. Kolo Muani could be that player, offering a fresh dynamic in attack as United reshape their frontline.
