Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is on the verge of another loan move away from Old Trafford, with Barcelona closing in.
Manchester United are just weeks away from the new Premier League season, and attacking changes continue to be the focus.
Bryan Mbeumo finally joined United on Monday night, completing his long-awaited move from Brentford.
As the Cameroonian arrives, Marcus Rashford looks set to leave United and start an attacking shake-up at Old Trafford.
Rashford is close to joining Barcelona, with the Catalan giants set to secure a loan deal with the possibility of a permanent move next summer.
Jadon Sancho is wanted by Juventus, and Atletico Madrid are eyeing Antony, with United hoping to agree a number of attacking departures.
Marcus Rashford set for Jesse Lingard reunion
Barcelona are expected to finalise their deal for Rashford this week, with the forward seeking a fresh start away from Old Trafford.
Rashford won’t just walk into a starring role at the Camp Nou, especially with so many other talented attackers at the club.
Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres are all at Hansi Flick’s disposal, so Rashford must battle for chances.
Providing Rashford is signed in time to feature in Barcelona’s pre-season tour of Asia, his first chance could come against Vissel Kobe on Sunday.
Barcelona’s second pre-season tour game will see Rashford take on FC Seoul – and therefore lock horns with Jesse Lingard.
Lingard joined FC Seoul in 2024, attempting to get his career back on track in South Korea after a disappointing spell with Nottingham Forest.
The 32-year-old has made a strong impact, notching 12 goals and six assists in 49 appearances for the club.
Lingard is even captaining FC Seoul and will surely feature in such a high-profile friendly against Barcelona.
Rashford and Lingard were close at United and played some fine football together, especially under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Now both looking to shine away from Old Trafford, Rashford could line up against Lingard in one of his first appearances as a Barcelona player.
When this friendly was first organised, an on-pitch reunion between Rashford and Lingard wouldn’t have been on anybody’s mind, but a surprise turn of events means they could face off.
Jesse Lingard’s rivalry with Marcus Rashford
Both Rashford and Lingard are local lads who lived the dream in terms of rising through the United ranks to become first-team stars.
They will certainly relish the chance to play against each other later this month, especially having previously enjoyed a friendly rivalry at United.
Speaking to Sky Sports in 2019, Lingard admitted that he and Rashford were challenging each other by setting targets in the United first team.
Lingard felt that it really worked for himself and Rashford, believing that they were pushing each other to become better players at United.
“Marcus and me have been setting targets for each other, to challenge ourselves,” said Lingard.
“Obviously it’s different aims, maybe in certain games it’s how many shots, or this many touches in a game. It’s just different random things, just to make you think and it’s to kind of push each other because you want your friend to be successful as well,” he added.
Many United fans will still have a lot of love and respect for Lingard and Rashford, and will be watching closely as the duo do battle.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/yjoNfTD