Manchester United 'hold talks' over sensational swap deal that would leave the rest of Europe gobsmacked

Manchester United have 'held talks' with a European giant over a swap deal involving Marcus Rashford which would leave many surprised if it came off.

United are in the midst of a crisis on the pitch after losing six games across all competitions in December and sat 14th in the Premier League table before Sunday afternoon's game against Liverpool at Anfield kicked off.

Ruben Amorim's reign is fewer than two months old but the scale of the job he has on his hands to transform United's fortunes has become clear to the new Old Trafford boss after he replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag.

Question marks surround the future of United forward Rashford, who has not featured on the pitch since mid-December since being left out by Amorim.

Rashford was recalled to the squad for the 2-0 Premier League loss to Newcastle United but was absent from the United matchday squad against Liverpool due to illness.

Since he was dropped, Rashford has confirmed that he is 'ready for a new challenge and the next steps' in his career, leading to speculation about where the attacker will be playing his football in the future with it appearing to be a case of when and not if he is moved on to pastures new by United, should a suitor be found.

Marcus Rashford. (Image: Getty)

Rashford's United deal runs until the summer of 2028, which was signed following his best goalscoring campaign to date where he notched 30 goals in all competitions in the 2022/23 season and with a reported £325,000 a week wages.

Since speculation has intensified regarding Rashford's future in the aftermath of Amorim's decision to drop the England international from his matchday squads, a potential swap deal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been reported frequently.

Osimhen is currently on loan at Turkish side Fenerbahce and appears to have no future at the Serie A side, with former United players Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku in Napoli's squad.

However, a fresh report has now emerged suggesting that United have held talks with Napoli over a potential swap deal for Rashford involving Osimhen's Napoli team-mate.

According to Team Talk, United have enquired about Georgian international winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during Napoli's discussions over a potential move for Rashford.

Liverpool are also monitoring Kvaratskhelia, who is currently recovering from a knee problem but has five goals and three assists in 19 games for Napoli across all competitions this season.

The report mentions a January departure for Kvaratskhelia is 'highly unlikely' due to the player prioritising a renewed contract at Napoli, though United are continuing to track the winger.