Manchester United suffered yet another setback, this time without Marcus Rashford, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Boxing Day. Bruno Fernandes’ red card compounded United’s woes before Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan sealed the victory for Wolves.
Rashford was sidelined for the fourth consecutive game, following his exclusion from the Manchester derby earlier this month. The England international had hinted at seeking a “new challenge” shortly after being dropped. Manager Rúben Amorim has yet to recall the forward, attributing his ongoing absence to unspecified issues with his attitude and conduct during training sessions.
The winger is eager to leave Manchester United and has set his sights on a move to Spain, with FC Barcelona as his preferred destination. However, while the Catalan club is aware of his interest, completing the transfer seems challenging at this time.
As reported by the Catalan newspaper Sport, Rashford is prioritizing a move to Spain, with Barcelona as his top choice, believing that La Liga would allow him to maximize his potential. Despite their strained relationship, Rashford and Manchester United recently delivered a surprising performance.
However, the club has criticized the forward for his inconsistent form, lack of commitment, and off-field controversies. United have now decided to sanction his departure to reduce their wage bill, as Rashford is the team’s highest earner. Meanwhile, Spanish media highlight that English outlets continue to link him with potential moves to Saudi Arabia or Paris Saint-Germain, both financially capable of meeting the transfer demands.
🚨⛔️ Marcus Rashford, OUT of the Man United squad today for the fourth game in a row. pic.twitter.com/Jj2uzg8KVb
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 26, 2024
Manchester United is willing to sell Marcus Rashford for less than €40 million, but his net salary of over €17 million remains a major obstacle for any Spanish club, Sport reports. Barcelona, while aware of the situation, has yet to make an official move. The Blaugrana see Rashford as a player with immense potential whose style could fit their system well. However, they believe signing him is only viable if he agrees to a 50% salary reduction, an unlikely scenario. Ultimately, Rashford faces a tough decision: prioritize financial security or take a pay cut to join a project that aligns with his career aspirations. The choice between ambition and earnings now rests with the Wythenshawe-born forward.
Meanwhile, Amorim will be without his captain, Bruno Fernandes, for United’s next match due to suspension. Having received his third red card of the season at Molineux for two avoidable yellow cards, Fernandes will miss Monday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
