Marcus Rashford is set to make a decision on his future at the end of the season, with his preference being to play for a Champions League club.
The Manchester United forward has impressed since joining Aston Villa on loan mid-season, but his future is expected to lie away from Old Trafford.
Staying at Villa remains a possibility he will consider, but their hopes of securing a top-five finish suffered a significant blow with Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Man City.
Rashford does not want to move to London and feature for one of the capital’s teams, while his representatives are also against any part-exchange deal.
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Highlights as Aston Villa suffer late defeat at Man City despite Rashford’s first-half goal
Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Ready reported earlier this month that Villa have not yet decided whether to take up their £40m option to turn Rashford’s loan into a permanent deal.
The United academy graduate has a contract at his boyhood club until 2028.
Rashford has enjoyed his time at Villa, scoring four goals and registering six assists in all competitions, ensuring there will be more interested suitors than had been the case in January.
Barcelona, who held interest in January, continue to monitor his situation and are one of several clubs interested in the England international.
United have already seemingly made steps to replace Rashford after receiving positive indications Matheus Cunha would like to join from Wolves.
Could Rashford end up back at Man Utd?
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Sky Sports News’ Melissa Reddy gives the latest transfer update around Rashford
Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy:
“No, there was a complete breakdown in the relationship between Marcus Rashford and Ruben Amorim.
“You saw that the head coach didn’t appreciate his application or his attitude and the player just wasn’t responding in the way he has under Unai Emery at Aston Villa.
“Clearly something is not working with Rashford at Manchester United and the club feel that a fresh environment has worked wonders for him and the intention is to continue that on a permanent basis.
“I’ve spoken to people from both sides of the story, and the only way I can see him representing his boyhood club competitively again is if Amorim and a lot of the senior executives are no longer at United.
“We know that’s not going to happen in the short term anyway, and United are planning to bring in attackers this summer and they factored a Rashford sale into that equation.
“So Rashford is planning for a life after United and they are very much planning for a life after him as well.”
Rashford or Cunha? Neville and Keane analyse Man Utd’s options
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Gary Neville has his say on Man Utd target Matheus Cunha
Gary Neville says Manchester United have been desperate for a signing in the mould of Cunha since letting Rashford go.
“They’re desperate in that position,” said Sky Sports pundit Neville. “You think of what Manchester United are playing now, they’ve let Jadon Sancho go, they’ve let Rashford go, they’ve let Antony go, so three players who are natural players who travel with the ball.
“They need someone who can beat players, they need someone who’s equally good running through the middle with the ball and travelling with the ball, and go out wide and support the wing-back.
“They need to score goals. Ruben Amorim said at the weekend we’re just struggling to score goals, so you need players who can take risks, good in the final third, and Cunha’s got a lot of ability.”
Keane: Rashford almost impossible to play against
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‘A nightmare to play against’ – Roy Keane was impressed by Rashford in Villa’s defeat at Man City
Rashford’s form since joining Aston Villa has raised questions about Amorim’s decision to let him go, especially as he would play a similar role to Cunha.
The Villa loanee particularly impressed Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane in Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Man City, as he netted a first-half penalty and ran Ruben Dias ragged when coming close to scoring after just 17 seconds.
“He was a threat [against City]. When there is grass behind Marcus, he’s as good as any player,” said Keane in the Sky Sports studio.
“There’s still areas he can improve on, but when he is making runs in behind and getting that service, you ask the defenders, Marcus is a nightmare to play against.
“He’s got that hunger and desire to run into [the space]. When I see him making [those runs], and once he’s got grass in front of him, he’s almost impossible to stop.”
Cunha is a transfer target for Man Utd
Why maverick Cunha is a good fit for Utd – but a risk too
Following reports linking Cunha to Manchester United, Adam Bate analyses what the Brazilian forward could bring to Old Trafford, reflecting on conversations with the man himself as well as Cunha’s current team-mates at Molineux…
