Manchester United’s pre-season preparations are officially underway, but some notable absentees continue to dominate headlines.
New signings Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon joined the likes of Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw at Carrington as Ruben Amorim gets to work shaping his first full squad at the club.
The Red Devils will kick off their pre-season fixtures against Leeds in Stockholm on 19 July before heading to the United States to compete in the Premier League Summer Series.
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However, several players — including Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia — have all informed Manchester United of their desire to leave the club and seek a transfer away this summer.
Rashford, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Aston Villa, appears to be heading for a permanent Old Trafford exit.
Despite the situation, former United midfielder Juan Mata believes there’s still a way back for the England international and insists it would benefit both the player and club to find a resolution.
“I saw his first training with us. I love him. As a kid, I called him ‘the wonderkid’,” Mata told The Athletic.
“The way he played was fearless, you could feel he could win a game by himself at any time when he was playing at his best.”
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“As a Man United fan and as a friend of Marcus, I wish that he can succeed here because it’s his club, his boyhood club,” Juan Mata continued.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen but if he stays and he can actually be happy and enjoy, I think it will be a win-win situation for both the club and him.”
Rashford’s relationship with manager Ruben Amorim appears to have deteriorated beyond repair, with his shirt number already reassigned to new signing Cunha.
Barcelona remains Rashford’s preferred destination, but financial constraints may hinder the Catalan giants’ ability to match his salary.
Bayern Munich have also been linked with the striker, although United’s valuation and Rashford’s wages present major stumbling blocks.
For now, Mata’s wish for a Rashford revival at United looks improbable, but the summer window is far from over.
