Manchester United in contract talks with £77m World Cup star

Will Marcus Rashford play for Manchester United next season? In fact, more than that as the England international earns £325,000 a week at Old Trafford.

Rashford, who was part of Ruben Amorim’s infamous bomb squad, found solace in a second-half loan spell at Aston Villa in 2024/25 before heading to Barcelona last term, where he made an impact throughout the campaign and ultimately won a La Liga title to call his own.

However, La Blaugrana did not make a deal and instead signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United in a deal worth £69 million.

It remains to be seen whether Rashford, 28, will return to the Theater of Dreams, but it is clear that INEOS are looking for a solution in the market.

Who could Man United sign to replace Rashford?

Rashford was Man United’s iconic star and one of the brightest lights throughout the drab post-Fergie period. However, he feels like he has worked his way up at his boyhood club and if he can successfully replace him this summer it would say a lot about the progressiveness that INEOS are trying to instill.

Rashford is set to be brought in by Michael Carrick’s offspring, but it remains to be seen whether this is a tactic to lure him towards a sale further this summer. Of course, United are looking for new players in attack.

West Ham United’s Crisencio Somerville, for example, is a vested interest for the Red Devils, with the relegated Dutchman valued at £60m.

Somerville’s pace and energy down the left will help him settle in at Old Trafford. It’s the kind of shrewd deal the club has avoided for the past 13 years.

However, while it is important that INEOS does not splurge, sometimes an opportunity presents itself that is too good to resist.

Manchester United in contract talks with ‘world-class superstar’

Manchester United are looking to complete as much summer business as possible before a busy post-season period, and the £50m signing of Andrej Santos is proof of that.

Santos had his ups and downs at Chelsea last season, but the Brazilian midfielder could be tapped by Carrick to help them rebuild now that Casemiro has left.

Manchester United seems to be focusing on strengthening the Brazilian national team this summer, so with that in mind, why not try signing Vincius Junior, who will help restore the frontline with the aim of becoming a star player?

Real Madrid’s infamous forward is one of the best forwards in the game. The global sensation is in a contractual impasse with Los Blancos, opening up his attacking opportunities to clubs like Man Utd, but TEAMtalk has actually reported that the 25-year-old international has been in contact with a number of Premier League sides, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Given that the Selecao superstar’s contract expires in a year, Real Madrid will reluctantly sell him for £77m, but are still confident of extending his stay in the Spanish capital.

He is one of the best forwards in the world and has had a brilliant career with Real Madrid, winning numerous trophies and goals.

Rashford enjoyed a strong season in Spain with Barcelona but does not have the qualities of Vinicius Junior, who manager Carlo Ancelotti recently hailed as “one of the best players in the world”.

At the World Cup, Vini outperformed his La Liga rivals in the 2025/26 season, and while Rashford won the league title, it is safe to say that his counterpart produced a more scintillating performance.

Vinicius Junior plays with a directness and panache reminiscent of the pompous Rashford at Old Trafford, but the truth is he’s far more gifted than United’s former marquee player, and that’s saying something.