Why Rashford out?
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The 27-year-old United’s academy graduate has played an integral role in the squad since joining the main team in 2016. Each and every manager since then has used Marcus Rashford in their team set-up. Starting from Louis van Gaal, Mourinho, Ole, Carrick, Rangnick and especially Eric Ten Hag, all of them backed him to a large extent but Rashford’s performances have been like a ‘blue moon’.
His best season has been under Ten Hag in 22/23 with 39 goal involvements in 56 games. After such a blockbuster season he has been average once again and now has seen 6 managers leave the club. The scenario under the new manager Ruben Amorim is slightly different, his philosophy, intensity football, and new structure has no place for a profile like Marcus. The only way he could be a starter is by developing his skills and being adaptive at other positions.
Amidst all the chaos, selling Rashford is not easy. Finding buyers is a hard task and one of the reasons is his form. No fans or the manager got any clue when the player will be at his best and when he will create a mess on the field. Rashford’s current market value according to the transfermarkt is around €53m. The English international earns a weekly wage of £300,000 which is another reason why teams will find difficulty in signing him.
Who are the potential players to replace him?
If in the upcoming winter or summer transfer window United is able to sell Rashford then they will be left with only Garnacho in the similar position and will be in a need to fill that spot. Also their wage bill could be balanced and with the money after selling the Carrington graduate they can go for these players :
Ademola Lookman
The former teammate of Rasmus Hojlund, Lookman is a star player under Gasperini in Atalanta BC. He is a versatile forward and a bona fide replacement for Rashford. This season the Nigerian international has 10 goals and 5 assists in just 17 games. Re-uniting him with Rasmus can turn out to be a masterclass by Man Utd.
Looking into the tactical fit of this signing, Lookman can play an appreciable role in the current United squad. If he plays in the left channel as an attacking midfielder alongside Bruno Fernandes and makes those late runs into the opposition box, he can be lethal.
Matheus Cunha
The Wolverhampton Wanderers’ forward started his career as a Striker. In his early stages he signed for FC Sion and then got into the spotlight when Atletico Madrid bought him. Although he was not a successful signing for them but during his loan in Wolves in the PL he proved his worth and forced the English club to offer him a permanent contract.
His age is a positive factor in this case and attracting clubs to make a move for him. Despite the fact that transfers within the Premier League are extortionate, Man United won’t think twice if they see a perfect fit in Cunha at their club.
In Wolves he already plays a second-striker role alongside Strand Larsen and won’t hesitate to play behind Rasmus from the left channel.
Christopher Nkunku
Nkunku is a France international and Chelsea signed him for £52 million in the 23/24 season. He was unavailable for the blues in his first season but in the second season whenever he got a chance to showcase his skills, he delivered. This season Nkunku has 15 G/A in 22 games, although he has started for mostly the Conference league games.
Christopher Nkunku’s profile can be an out-and-out fit in Ruben Amorim’s United. Positioning wise he is better than Rahford and in finishing the chances he is a fabulous attacker.
Chelsea already have a huge squad and a lot of players in the left-sided position namely Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Jadon Sancho. Especially after Sancho’s performances the manager can put Nkunku as a backup option which ultimately affects his game time and performances. If he demands game time and wants a confirmed spot in a team then United can be his dream job.
