Man Utd news: Twist on Marcus Rashford’s future as green light given | Football | Sport
Marcus Rashford has enjoyed his loan at Barcelona. (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United secured another three points on Monday evening as they continue their push for Champions League qualification. A solitary strike proved sufficient for Michael Carrick’s men at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Benjamin Sesko emerging from the substitutes’ bench to score the decisive goal.
Crystal Palace will be the next opponents to visit Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. United triumphed in the earlier encounter at Selhurst Park back in November, overturning a deficit courtesy of strikes from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount. United are aware that continued victories will place Champions League football firmly within their grasp, regardless of their competitors’ results.
However, clashes with rivals Chelsea and Liverpool loom large on the fixture list, ensuring the task ahead remains challenging.
Despite Monday’s victory, Carrick’s team selection has generated debate, whilst uncertainty persists surrounding Marcus Rashford’s long-term prospects. Here are our latest updates from Old Trafford.
Barcelona’s Rashford ‘plan’
Barcelona have the option to sign Rashford for approximately £26million when his loan arrangement concludes at the end of the season. Nevertheless, the Spanish club are reportedly seeking to reduce that valuation through negotiations.
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Reports from Spanish outlet Sport claim that Rashford’s representative, Arturo Canales, has met with Barcelona sporting director Deco to discuss the player’s prospects.
Deco is understood to be attempting to negotiate a reduced fee to secure Rashford’s signature for slightly less, although there’s currently no indication the club would abandon the deal should United refuse.
Benjamin Sesko is pushing for a start at Manchester United. (Image: Getty Images)
Despite not being a consistent starter, Rashford has contributed 10 goals and 13 assists for Barcelona this term. Whilst he’s been sidelined recently due to injury, he made his return to the substitutes’ bench during the weekend’s win over Levante.
Neville gives green light for Carrick change
Sesko strengthened his argument for increased playing time with his strike on Monday, though the crucial question remains over which forward he should displace. His introduction for Amad during the Everton clash prompted a reorganisation of the attacking line, with former United defender Gary Neville suggesting this alteration should be implemented from kick-off moving forward.
Neville endorsed United boss Carrick making changes to his forward line for the club’s upcoming fixture, telling Sky Sports: “I think now on Sunday Michael Carrick starts him [Sesko]. Just feeling how Michael would look at that, I think it would kill the lad if he didn’t start.
“I think what you’ll see on Sunday is [Matheus] Cunha to the left, [Bryan] Mbeumo to the right, Sesko up top and Bruno [Fernandes] in behind. I think Amad will just slip out for a game, he has been really good but I think Sesko starts.”
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