Manchester United offered Premier League flop as Marcus Rashford 'replacement' identified

Manchester United have reportedly been offered a striker by a Champions League club, with the player potentially viewed as a replacement for Marcus Rashford or Joshua Zirkzee.

As the September 1 transfer deadline approaches, all 20 Premier League clubs are working in the background on potential deals, with numerous players likely to be involved in last-minute moves in the coming days.

One of those players may be out-of-favour United forward Zirkzee. On August 27, The Athletic reported that Serie A side Fiorentina were advancing in talks over a potential loan move for the Dutchman.

The Florence side are the latest in a string of Serie A clubs to have enquired about the player, with Juventus and Como having also shown interest. Zirkzee enjoyed success in Italy with Bologna before arriving at United in 2024.

Meanwhile, Rashford’s future remains up in the air despite the forward making his first competitive appearance for United in 14 months when he was introduced as a second-half substitute during a 2-0 defeat to Hull City on August 22.

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Despite reports that Rashford will more than likely remain a United player, he continues to be tentatively linked with a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal, with The Independent reporting that the Gunners believe a temporary deal could be possible.

Man Utd offered former Crystal Palace flop

Should Rashford or Zirkzee leave, it would leave United short in attack, leaving INEOS and head coach Michael Carrick with a problem to solve.

According to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, Atletico Madrid forward Alexander Sorloth has been offered to United through intermediaries.

“TEAMtalk understands that Sorloth has emerged as a potential option for United as they search for another forward before Tuesday’s transfer deadline,” he wrote.

“The Norway international is open to leaving Atletico this summer and a return to the Premier League is something the 30-year-old would entertain, having previously played for Crystal Palace.

“United are in the market for another forward after allowing Joshua Zirkzee to join Fiorentina, with Michael Carrick’s side now assessing a number of options.

“Sources believe that if United bring in another striker, they want someone who can provide a genuine central option and an alternative to Benjamin Sesko – and Sorloth fits that profile.”

The 30-year-old previously represented Crystal Palace in the Premier League between 2018 and 2020, scoring just once in 20 appearances.

Since his failed spell in south London, Sorloth has recovered from that setback and bolstered his reputation, enjoying success at Trabzonspor, Real Sociedad, Villarreal and current club Atletico, for whom he has netted 44 times in 107 appearances.

The Norway international usually plays as a No.9, although he was utilised on the right wing during the 2026 World Cup.

Sorloth is under contract at Atletico until 2028.

Juve forward Jonathan David has also reportedly been offered to United, with the Italian giants “exploring a potential deal involving David, with Sørloth and Nico González potentially part of an exchange, although those negotiations are becoming increasingly complicated”.

United return to Premier League action at home against Ipswich Town on August 30.