The transfer window is in full effect right now and there are some huge talking points around Manchester United right now.
For Erik ten Hag, preseason will be approaching far too quickly as at this rate, he’ll have no transfers brought in by the time it starts.
Manchester United took longer than expected to make a decision over his future and due to that, it’s caused a chain reaction with transfers not yet completed.
But now things are beginning to heat up both on the incoming and outgoing front so United in Focus have spoken with HITC’s transfer expert Graeme Bailey about some of the biggest topics at Old Trafford right now.
What Ineos think about Marcus Rashford
To start with, the Marcus Rashford situation appears to be one to keep a serious eye on this summer as Graeme Bailey explained on HITC, before adding to this by telling us: “There’s a real firm belief that there’s going to be a parting of the ways [between United and Rashford].
“PSG are back in for him, Rashford to PSG is a hot topic, they’re one of the few clubs who can afford him. Ineos and Sir Jim weren’t overly impressed with his behaviour last season, they liked the way Ten Hag dealt with it.
“In the end-of-season review we know Ten Hag was spoken about, we know Bruno Fernandes was talked about. We are told as well that Rashford was talked about as well and unlike those two where they decided Fernandes and Ten Hag should very much be part of the future, not sure the same outcome was reached for Rashford because they were not impressed by him.
“Not just his form but everything from the two nightclub incidents but there were other issues as well we are told. If there is an opportunity for him to move to PSG I think all parties would take it.”
While selling Rashford feels very wrong considering he’s an academy graduate, it’d be hard to find fault in Ineos deciding to do so.
It might just be one bad season, but it’s a season in which he hasn’t looked like he’s enjoyed his football and a fresh break could be best not only for United but also Rashford himself.
Joshua Zirkzee latest
Of all the transfer targets Manchester United have this summer, negotiations for Joshua Zirkzee appear to be furthest along at the moment with his £34m release clause affordable. However, Graeme has some concerns over the deal.
“AC Milan haven’t stepped away from Zirkzee, but they have other options out there. A few teams are looking at Zirkzee. United likes him but we know the player has spoken to United about how they see him fitting in with Hojlund. Can he be guaranteed the football?
“I think United might be a tough sell to Zirkzee, given Hojlund’s already there and his situation. I think that might be the sticking point personally.”
This of course is true, with Rasmus Hojlund all but guaranteed to be the first choice ahead of Zirkzee given how much the club invested in him last summer.
Hopefully United can convince Zirkzee that there are plenty of games to go around and he’ll come to United and score plenty of goals.
Latest on Mason Greenwood
One player who looks all but guaranteed to leave Old Trafford this summer is Mason Greenwood with the 22-year-old attracting lots of interest as the club eye a £40m sale.
While no deal is imminent, Graeme has suggested that United aren’t in a rush to sell but even if he isn’t sold by the time pre-season training begins, Greenwood won’t be returning to Carrington.
“Marseille? I wouldn’t put them at the front of the queue. We have to wait and see what the player wants to do. The player does hold a lot of power here in this situation, if he wants to go back to Spain then we can rule out the Italian and French clubs. I think Greenwood will have the deciding vote, so let’s see what pans out here.
“I am told he’d still rather go to Spain but there’s more and more offers coming. We’re still in June, there’s no massive hurry for him just yet.
“I don’t see him returning to Carrington, I don’t see him returning for pre-season training.”