Man United exclusive: Finance expert reacts to Marcus Rashford’s no-fee exit
Man United will be happy with their deal to send Marcus Rashford to Barcelona as they eye a future deal for the winger in the long term.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that the move to send the Englishman to Catalonia was “the next best thing” as opposed to selling him.
Ruben Amorim made abundantly clear that Rashford was not in his plans for next season when he placed the winger in the Red Devils’ “bomb squad” alongside Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho, and Antony.
The quintet have been asked to report for United training past 5 pm, so as not to be involved with the first-team’s preparations, and the club hopes to shift all of that group this summer.
Rashford had spent much of the summer angling for a move to Barcelona, and that move was completed as an initial season-long loan, with an option for the Catalan giants to buy the winger next summer for £26million [Sky Sports].
Man United happy with Marcus Rashford deal
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley, a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, explained why United would be happy with Rashford’s move to Barcelona.
The finance expert highlighted the winger’s wages and the potential for a future fee next season as a positive for Amorim’s side.
Plumley said: “It certainly frees up United’s wage bill, which is number one. Rashford was on that list of targets that they were wanting to shift on. I think that was pretty clear.
“There’s a few others, of course. If you can’t get that deal done for a fee, then the next best thing is probably a loan for a season with full wages paid and an option to buy.
“So I think if you look at the Manchester United side of things, of course, they probably would have wanted a fee.
“But getting Rashford off the wage bill, and he will be one of the bigger earners for the season, and then maybe getting him gone if it goes well in Barcelona, through United’s lens, it’s a pretty good deal.
“And of course they’ve already been active in the market as well. So I think they’ll feel like it’s a good deal for them for sure.”
Alejandro Garnacho tipped for Aston Villa move
One member down, four more to go. Without the bonus of qualifying for the Champions League last season, United’s summer transfers will be limited unless they can shift their outcasts.
Rashford’s deal removes his wages, but the Red Devils will be hoping their next deal can secure a transfer fee to boost their coffers.
Garnacho has been tipped to join Aston Villa this summer, the Villains’ former CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider exclusively.
Despite the Argentine winger being a prodigious talent, his falling out with Amorim will have lowered any potential fee United will be hoping to get this summer and Unai Emery‘s side may be able to sign the 21-year-old for as little as £30m.