Rashford has hinted that he is ready for a “new challenge” away from Manchester United after owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is pushing for an exit.
Manchester United have reportedly made a “formal bid” for a potential replacement for Marcus Rashford amid ongoing speculation about his future at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford was left out of the United squad along with Alejandro Garnacho for Sunday’s Manchester derby, which ended in a dramatic 2-1 win for Ruben Amorim’s side.
After the game, Amorim said that his decision to leave out Rashford and Garnacho was to do with setting high standards at United – adding that the pair had to “fight” to get a place in the squad.
Rashford later led to speculation that he could apply elsewhere in January with a Tuesday night, saying he feels “ready for a new challenge and the next steps”.
“If I know a situation is already bad, I’m not going to make it worse,” Rashford told journalist Henry Winter.
“I’ve seen how other players have quit in the past and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave, I will make a statement, and it will be from me.”
Amorim addressed these comments on Wednesday morning, suggesting that “great talent” Rashford still has a big role to play at Old Trafford.
Asked about Rashford’s comments, Amorim said: “I think he’s right. We have a new challenge here and it’s a tough one, it’s the biggest challenge in football because we’re in a difficult situation. This is really a new challenge. I hope all my players are ready for this new challenge.”
However, the Portuguese also admitted that he had not yet spoken to Rashford about his comments.
Now, reports in Spain claim that United have already started working on potential replacements for Rashford. Fichajes writes that Manchester United have made a “formal bid” for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
Williams, 22, played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and has scored 22 goals in 144 appearances for Bilbao since making his first-team debut in 2021.
The winger is reported to have a €58 million release clause in his Bilbao contract, but United could face competition for his signature, Paris Sait-Germain and Barcelona who are also said to be interested.
Former United manager Jose Mourinho is a big fan of Williams, the younger brother of Athletic legend Inaki, and recently said he prefers to sign the winger over Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.
“People went for Yamal, Yamal, Yamal… he’s obviously a fantastic boy, but I’m more of a Nico Williams fan than anything else,” Fenerbahce boss Mourinho said.
“I think he’s a fantastic player and I hope he ends up playing for Real Madrid, because in Spain I’m a Real Madrid fan.”
Rashford himself has been linked with a move to Spain, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano saying that La Liga is a “dream option” for Rashford – should he leave Old Trafford.
Barcelona have been linked with the England international, but it is unlikely that the cash-strapped Catalan club will be able to afford Rashford on his current salary of around £350,000 per week.
Long-term admirers PSG is another potential option for Rashford, as is a move to the Saudi Pro League.
