Manchester United may have to accept an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy in the summer if they are to offload Marcus Rashford in January, according to reports. Rashford is widely expected to leave Old Trafford at the start of 2025 after falling out of favour under new head coach Ruben Amorim, but his opportunities are limited.
It could be an increasingly cash-strapped January transfer window in general amid rising financial pressures regarding FFP and PSR.
So, while Rashford’s sale would represent pure profit on the books, a permanent deal might not be on the table before the end of the season.
According to Mail Sport, essentially all first-team players are for sale at the price price, with only a few considered off the negotiation table.
It’s claimed that selling homegrown players like Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo would bring in around four times more than their team-mates.
Rashford, who signed a new contract until 2028 worth £315,000-a-week, is among those on the chopping block after publicly admitting he was ready for “a new challenge and the next steps.”
Those comments followed Amorim’s decision to exclude him from his matchday squad for the 2-1 derby victory at Manchester City earlier this month.
Rashford was then absent in the losses to Tottenham, Bournemouth and Wolves before returning to the bench in Monday’s 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United.
Amorim called on Alejandro Garnacho and Antony but left the 27-year-old in the dugout, further heightening expectations of an imminent parting of ways.
The report adds that United may have to accept an initial loan offer with an obligation to buy at the end of the campaign.
Jadon Sancho received the same treatment in the summer transfer window after Chelsea offered him an escape route on deadline day.
The 24-year-old will move to Stamford Bridge in a £25million deal if (when) Enzo Maresca‘s side finish in the top 14 of the Premier League.
United have reportedly also wanted to axe top earner Casemiro and £86m flop Antony for a prolonged period.
Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen could also be moved on if a suitable offer arrives, given both are out of contract in the summer.
United will need player sales to make any kind of movement on the incoming front, having made losses of £300m over the last three years.
The £20m it cost to sack Erik ten Hag and appoint Amorim worsened the PSR situation, so it could disappointingly quiet January.