Man Utd make big Marcus Rashford call as surprise midfielder linked with move

Barcelona look highly unlikely to active their option to buy Marcus Rashford at the end of his loan - but Manchester United are refusing to lower the price despite not wanting the forward back at Old Trafford, it has been reported.

Rashford has scored 12 goals and assisted 13 more in his 43 appearances for Barca so far this season, but the 28-year-old was dropped for the second leg of the Catalans' Champions League quarter-final defeat to Atletico Madrid in midweek after failing to make an impression in the first leg a week earlier.

It has been widely reported that Barca are now having serious doubts about signing Rashford for the pre-agreed price of £26million, yet Sky Sports report that 'United will not renegotiate a fee with the Spanish club' and are 'confident they could receive a higher fee elsewhere' should the La Liga leaders back out of the deal.

The report adds that 'no reunion is expected at Old Trafford', but Rashford's weekly wage will increase to its original £325,000 if United qualify for the Champions League - all players' wages were cut by 25 percent after they missed out on the top four in the 2023-24 season - which is only going to complicate their efforts to move on a player who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.

Carrick confirms recruitment conversations

Interim boss Michael Carrick, for his part, refused to be drawn on the speculation on Friday, though he did confirm that he has been involved in conversations concerning the club's transfer plans this summer.

“There are decisions to be made in time on certain things and obviously Marcus is in that situation," Carrick said.

“But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided. And it will be, because it has to be at a certain point.

“But at this stage, there’s nothing to say.”

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Asked specifically whether United were planning to strengthen at left wing, Carrick added: "There are decisions to be made, of course, but also timings are a thing.

"Obviously, my situation is one thing, it's just working through that. There's certainly conversations to come because it's natural but in terms of an actual 'this is going to happen', that's not something I've commited to, recruitment-wise, but we've certainly had conversations. That's just natural."

RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande and Everton's Iliman Ndiaye are among the left-wing options to have been linked with United so far, while another report on Friday claimed they are one of three Premier League clubs keeping an eye on Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka after he impressed in the Whites' 2-1 win over the Red Devils on Monday night.

The Japan international has started only eight league games for Leeds this season, yet TEAMtalk claim that United, Newcastle and Everton are all monitoring the 27-year-old, who is open to leaving Elland Road for greater playing opportunities.