Michael Carrick identifies little-known Marcus Rashford replacement as Man Utd prepare offer despite major disagreement

As Manchester United’s woes deepened this week following the 4-1 humiliation at the hands of Como in the Champions League, one player is being touted as an ideal addition to improve its misfiring squad.

According to a report from CaughtOffside, Flavio Goncalves, a winger for Sporting CP, is a player being heavily scouted by top European clubs, is under contract until 2030 and has a release clause of around £50m. However, sources say this fee is far from United’s valuation, despite the club preparing an offer.

Able to play on the flank or in attacking midfield, Goncalves could be just what the beleaguered Old Trafford squad needs to re-energise its season.

United target Goncalves is one of Europe’s hottest properties

With players like Marcus Rashford seriously underperforming, as well as the team captain Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez criticising the club in interviews, Manchester United’s squad looks like it’s well in need of a rebuild.

Goncalves could be one such player to add to the side. Having only broken into the Sporting team last season and getting his first league start in August, the French-born Portuguese winger has scored three goals in ten appearances.

Rashford, meanwhile, has zero goals from eight appearances this season. Starting 2026/2027 with some bright performances, his campaign has since been disrupted by a hip injury.

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Though Goncalves can play on either side, he's known to usually start on the left wing, and likes to cut in on his right foot.

CaughtOffside describes his “explosive acceleration, one‑on‑one dribbling ability, agility in tight spaces, and direct goal contribution”, from one of its sources.

“Chelsea and Man United have scouted Goncalves extensively, and they’re now prepared to make offers directly to Sporting this Januar;, that’s the current expectation,” another told it.

“Sporting know they have a huge talent on their hands, but they hope to get him to agree to a new deal so they can sell him for more money later. There’s every expectation that he could be a €100m player, so they won’t want to lose him on the cheap earlier than they need to.”

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The publication goes on to say the Manchester United and Chelsea bids will be around £37m-£41m, but it remains to be seen what the player’s preference is.

A favourite of Sporting manager Rui Borges, it’s unknown whether he would like a Premier League move or sign an improved deal which allow sthe Portuguese team to demand an even bigger fee at a later date.