Barcelona bosses have compiled a dossier as they court Manchester United wonderkid Marcus Rashford, whose long-term future at Old Trafford is in doubt. Rashford has seen his progress checked over the last season under Jose Mourinho and he has only scored five league goals for United this season. He could look to quit United if he doesn’t kick on under new caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Barca have been keeping an eye on Rashford and are keen not to lose him to Real if he becomes available. AC Milan are also keen as they want to make a marquee signing this summer. Rashford scored in United’s 5-1 win over Cardiff on Saturday but his future at United is far from secure. He flittered in and out of the team under former manager Jose Mourinho, who at times struggled to utilise the England star effectively.
A move away from Old Trafford beckons if Rashford doesn’t get assurances over his future. United already have Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard in their forward stocks. And further deals in January could dramatically increase competition under Solskjaer. Barcelona spent £148m on Philippe Coutinho in the previous January transfer window and a move next month for Rashford seems unlikely. Indeed, the club have confirmed they are not looking to splash serious cash – at least until the summer. Real themselves are unlikely to spend heavily in January with Santiago Solari in charge until the end of the season, when they will almost certainly go for another big-name manager. There are suggestions Mourinho himself may end up back at the Bernabeu, having previously managed Real between 2010 and 2013.