Manchester United appear to be preparing for a significant shift in their attacking lineup, as fresh reports suggest the club is actively pursuing Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani to replace Marcus Rashford.
This development comes just hours after news broke that Rashford is on his way out of Old Trafford, at least temporarily.
Rashford, 27, has been loaned to Aston Villa for the remainder of the 2024/25 season after falling out of favour with new Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim.
Despite the short-term nature of the deal, it remains unclear whether Rashford will feature in United’s plans upon his return.
His exclusion from United’s 29-man squad for the recent pre-season friendly against Leeds United in Stockholm strongly suggests that his future at Old Trafford is in serious doubt.
Adding further intrigue to Rashford’s situation, Barcelona have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of the England international.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Barcelona have submitted a proposal for a loan deal with an option to buy, aiming to secure Rashford’s services beyond the current campaign.
The Catalan club’s interest isn’t new—Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, openly named Rashford alongside Liverpool’s Luis Díaz as players he admires, highlighting him as someone capable of strengthening their attack.
Rashford himself has not shied away from praising Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal, fueling speculation about a potential move to Spain.
In an interview earlier this summer, Rashford spoke highly of Yamal, calling him a once-in-a-generation talent and stating that he would love the opportunity to play alongside him. His comments have only intensified rumours of a Barcelona switch.
Meanwhile, United are wasting no time identifying a potential replacement. Reports from Foot Mercato reveal that United, along with Newcastle, are considering a move for Randal Kolo Muani.
The French forward, currently contracted to PSG until 2028, spent the latter half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Juventus, where he registered 10 goals and 3 assists in 22 appearances.
Despite his solid performances in Italy, Kolo Muani has struggled to cement a starting role at PSG due to fierce competition from the likes of Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Desire Doue.
Signed by PSG in 2023 for around £76.4 million, Kolo Muani’s market value has since dropped, with Transfermarkt now listing him at approximately €30 million (£26.1 million).
This price reduction could make him a more accessible target for United as they reshape their forward options.
From a tactical standpoint, Kolo Muani offers attributes that fit well with Amorim’s vision for United. Known for his high work rate, pressing ability, and positional flexibility, he can operate both centrally and on the wings—similar to Rashford—but reportedly offers more consistency off the ball.
Amorim is believed to value these qualities highly, making Kolo Muani a potential ideal fit for his system.
As Rashford edges closer to a possible long-term exit—potentially to Barcelona—United are lining up Kolo Muani as a replacement who aligns with Amorim’s philosophy.
With Rashford’s situation evolving and United eager to rebuild their attack, the coming weeks could see significant movement in the transfer market.
