Marcus Rashford to Tottenham Man United transfer boost as new striker ‘shock’ emerges
Manchester United Return to Pre-Season with Big Questions Looming Under Amorim
Manchester United will officially kick off their pre-season training on Monday as the club begins preparations for what promises to be a defining campaign under new manager Rúben Amorim.
The 2024/25 season was nothing short of a disaster for the Red Devils. United slumped to a shocking 15th-place finish in the Premier League, ending the season with a negative goal difference of -10—a damning statistic that reflects their struggles at both ends of the pitch. For a club of United’s stature, such an outcome has triggered intense scrutiny and heightened pressure for significant change.
So far this summer, however, the response from the club has been underwhelming in the eyes of many fans. The only major incoming transfer to date has been Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha, who was signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth around £40 million. The 25-year-old is expected to add attacking versatility, but concerns remain over whether his addition alone will be enough to turn things around.
In terms of other targets, United remain strongly linked with Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo, though no agreement has yet been reached. The lack of incoming signings—and more importantly, the failure to offload fringe or underperforming players—has sparked growing frustration among the United faithful. Many believe the club is not moving quickly enough to rectify the glaring issues that plagued last season’s dismal campaign.
Still, with over a month remaining in the transfer window and the first competitive fixture not scheduled until August 17—when United host Arsenal at Old Trafford—there remains time to reshape the squad. However, United must act fast if they are to provide Amorim with a team capable of competing on multiple fronts.
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Transfer Rumours and Talking Points
Tottenham Hotspur Eye Rashford Swoop
One of the most talked-about potential exits from Old Trafford this summer is Marcus Rashford. The forward endured a difficult 2024/25 season, failing to find consistency or confidence. Despite being a homegrown talent and once regarded as the club’s future, Rashford now faces an uncertain future.
Football finance expert Dan Plumley recently spoke to Tottenham News about the possibility of Spurs launching a bid for the England international. He suggested that Tottenham could financially support the transfer, especially given their relatively low wage-to-turnover ratio in recent seasons.
“You would anticipate his wage demands would be pretty high,” Plumley explained. “But Spurs have maintained a strong financial position, with wages historically accounting for less than 50% of their turnover. That gives them the flexibility to consider a deal like this, especially with Champions League money on the horizon.”
Plumley warned, however, that any deal would depend heavily on the player’s long-term salary expectations and the fee involved. “Tottenham could afford the move, but the question is whether they want to commit significant wages and a large transfer fee to a player whose form has dipped.”
Writing for the Manchester Evening News, Isaac Seelochan believes Rashford’s departure now feels increasingly likely:
> “It seems inevitable that Rashford will leave United this summer, whether permanently or on loan. A move abroad would be ideal to prevent him from potentially coming back to haunt United domestically, but realistically, Premier League clubs are better positioned financially to make such a deal happen.”
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Shock Over United’s Failure to Pursue Jonathan David
Elsewhere, the club’s perceived inaction in the striker market has raised eyebrows. Jonathan David, the prolific Canadian forward, joined Juventus on a free transfer earlier this summer—yet according to journalist Graeme Bailey, there was little to no interest from Manchester United.
Speaking to United In Focus, Bailey revealed:
> “I’ve spoken with David’s representatives, and they were genuinely surprised at the lack of engagement from top Premier League clubs, especially United. Yes, he was demanding a substantial wage, but there was no transfer fee involved.”
Bailey compared the situation to that of Marcus Thuram, who also moved to Serie A on a free and went on to shine with Inter Milan. “David could easily follow a similar trajectory,” he added. “He’s a clinical finisher and I expect him to thrive in Serie A. If he does, Premier League clubs may soon regret passing him up—just like they did with Thuram.”
Seelochan offered his thoughts on United’s decision not to pursue David, writing:
> “David would’ve been a clear upgrade on United’s current striking options, at least on paper. But for whatever reason—whether concerns about his style of play, temperament, or wage demands—the club chose not to move forward. It’s also possible that the lure of Champions League football with Juventus made the player’s mind up regardless of any English offers.”
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Looking Ahead
With pre-season training about to begin, Rúben Amorim has an enormous task ahead. He must quickly assess the squad, integrate new signings like Cunha, and determine which players are surplus to requirements. While the transfer window remains open, United’s lack of early momentum has cast a shadow over their preparations.
Supporters will be desperate to see more arrivals in the coming weeks, especially in midfield and defence, where vulnerabilities were repeatedly exposed last season. The club’s season opener against Arsenal is fast approaching, and if reinforcements are not brought in soon, United may face another uphill battle.
One thing is clear: the pressure is mounting—and the margin for error is shrinking.