A recent report hints that Marcus Rashford might be looking to leave Manchester United as soon as January, with moves to one of three clubs—including a potential switch to a rival within the Premier League—currently under consideration.
The 26-year-old forward has encountered form issues since last season, tallying only eight goals and four assists in 41 league appearances. This contrasts sharply with his successful 2022/23 season, where he recorded 17 goals and five assists, raising speculation over his future at Old Trafford.
Spanish outlet Nacional attributes Rashford’s dip in performance to what he perceives as a lack of “ambition and stability” within Manchester United, reportedly pushing him to ask his agent to explore transfer options in the January window.
The clubs mentioned in connection with a possible Rashford transfer are Aston Villa, Napoli, and Marseille. Although Aston Villa may seem an unexpected destination for Rashford, the club has shown strong growth under manager Unai Emery, positioning itself as a competitive contender in the revamped Champions League.
Among the three potential destinations, Napoli is reportedly seen as Rashford’s most likely next club. A move to the Italian side could give Rashford the chance to reunite with former teammates Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku, as well as to work under manager Antonio Conte.
Napoli, which currently enjoys a strong standing in Serie A, offers Rashford the possibility to challenge for league titles, potentially enhancing his development and providing a new environment to reinvigorate his career.
On the other hand, Marseille is regarded as the least feasible of the three options due to financial constraints that may prevent them from meeting United’s valuation for Rashford. However, should a transfer to Marseille materialize, Rashford would join ex-Manchester United player Mason Greenwood, bringing an additional layer of familiarity to his experience at the French club.
Despite some uncertainties surrounding these reports, TEAMtalk insider Fraser Gillan has suggested that a move for Rashford in January or the 2025 transfer window could be realistic. If Rashford’s situation at United continues to stagnate, other major clubs, such as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich, are likely to enter the race to sign him if he becomes available. However, Manchester United has yet to authorize any official steps toward his departure.
In related transfer news, Manchester United is rumored to be making plans to challenge Real Madrid’s bid for Alphonso Davies, who is in the final year of his current contract. Additionally, United is considering the possibility of allowing Antony to leave on loan in January, possibly back to his former club Ajax. The club is also reportedly eyeing a potential future signing of Sporting CP’s 17-year-old forward, Geovany Quenda, as part of its broader recruitment strategy for young talent.
