In an ideal world, United would like to sell Marcus Rashford and Antony for £40 million and Jadon Sancho for £20 million, which would make a £100 million transfer fee. Their place has already been confirmed for £62.5 million in Cunha, and in a possibility, Mbeumo. Unfortunately, in the first phase of the summer transfer, all three of them were unsold, and the club ended up in the huge hole that they had dug for their excessive salaries in the past.
The 27-year-old's permanent move to Aston Villa is no longer a possibility, with the team being kicked out of the Champions League qualification zone by Manchester United and naturally giving up the £40million option. The England star, who scored four goals and provided six assists during his loan spell at Villa, dreams of joining Barcelona, a 40 per cent chance according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that there are no formal talks between the two clubs at the moment, and Rashford is indeed one of Barca's options, but not the only one. Barcelona tried to sign Manchester United on loan in January, but found it too expensive and gave up. The problem is the same now, even if Rashford is willing to reduce his weekly salary by £325,000, Barcelona are not willing to pay Manchester United's asking price of £40 million.
If they want to send Rashford away, United will probably have to cut the price significantly, even agreeing to a season-long loan. Master La has three years left on his contract and the club cannot terminate his contract to solve his problems once and for all. Marcus Rashford has fallen out with Amorim and is unlikely to return to the team. United have pledged his number 10 shirt to new signing Cunha, while according to British media reports, if Rashford cannot be sold in the summer window, he could even be relegated to the development team, like Jadon Sancho under Ten Hag.
Jadon Sancho is also set to return to Manchester United in the summer, having been returned by Chelsea for £5 million in compensation. Unwilling to reduce their £250,000-a-week salary, the Blues forwent a £25 million buyout and parted ways. Sancho also has other potential buyers, such as his old club Borussia Dortmund. But the problem is the same as Chelsea's, and his high salary is not affordable.
Antony, who scored nine goals and provided five assists on loan at Real Betis, is also interested in clubs, but the problem is that the salary is too high. If the 25-year-old Brazilian doesn't earn £200,000 at Manchester United, it could be easier to sell.
With a stellar performance in La Liga, Antony was re-called to the Brazilian team by new coach Carlo Ancelotti. He has openly stated that his experience at Manchester United has been difficult and that there is little hope in sight. "As much as I believe God will help me through this, I can honestly doubt myself during the difficult times that Manchester United went through." "I was worried that I wouldn't be able to overcome that challenge, and my family always reminded me to stay calm. They told me that it's just a process, and it's painful, but we have to face it."
"Today I understand what I've been through, and after the lows and despair, I know my resilience. I've been working hard and giving for the club and I've always done my best. Looking back today, I find this process necessary. I feel more mature and prepared."
He concluded, "I feel like a better father, a better husband and a better man. Everything is worth it. Even though I lost hope at one point, even though I went through a difficult time, at the same time, I also remembered a lot of things that I had been through. Then I stopped and thought, 'I didn't learn football for nothing, I didn't play the World Cup for nothing, I didn't join the national team for nothing.'" Everything has a reason, and everything has a process. This process is very necessary for me to make me stronger and to stand here today [in the Brazilian team] is a dream come true. It's very gratifying and I'm grateful for this opportunity, and I'm grateful for everything."
Betis were keen to keep the club but did not have enough money and had to go on loan again, or buy out part of the ownership, but United were reluctant to accept it. According to the German newspaper Bild, Manchester United could end up accepting a price of £21 million to £25 million. However, at the moment, there is no action from rumoured interested teams such as Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid, and Betis are said to be trying to make a bid in the coming days.