Arsenal are now being discussed as a potential destination for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, who is on the lookout for a new club this summer. Rashford spent last season with Barcelona, scoring 14 and assisting as many, but he was not able to win a full-time deal, with Barca instead going out and signing Karim Adeyemi.

That meant Rashford returned to United, where he has been welcomed back by Michael Carrick, but still with the understanding that he will be sold if and when the right offer comes in. Rashford is on a huge wage at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils are keen to reduce their overall wage bill.

Arsenal are in need of versatile attackers

REUTERS

Arsenal have not hidden their desire to sign a left-sided attacker this summer, even with Christos Tzolis replacing Leandro Trossard. The Gunners want an elite option to complete their attack, alongside Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres.

They could also do with a striker to replace Gabriel Jesus, who will almost certainly leave, with more competition potentially needed for Kai Havertz and Gyokeres.

It’s for that reason Arsenal have been keeping an eye out for wingers who can also play up front, with the likes of Julian Alvarez linked, albeit the Atletico Madrid star is more of a striker who can play wide.

Rashford is another player who can fit that mould, able to lead the line as a number nine but more commonly playing out wide, especially in recent times amid the presence of Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona.

Rashford has a £40million release clause, and it’s likely Arsenal will have to meet it if they are going to sign him from a direct Premier League rival like United.

Marcus Rashford’s last five league campaigns:

• 2025/26 LaLiga – 32 appearances / 8 goals / 9 assists
• 2024/25 Premier League – 25 appearances / 6 goals / 4 assists
• 2023/24 Premier League – 33 appearances / 7 goals / 3 assists
• 2022/23 Premier League – 35 appearances / 17 goals / 6 assists
• 2021/22 Premier League – 25 appearances / 4 goals / 2 assists

Where does Rashford fit in at Arsenal?

Marty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

The £40million question is where Rashford fits into Mikel Arteta’s plans. Would he be the guy on the left, or would he be an additional signing alongside a truly elite winger? It’s not clear Arsenal can manage both signings after spending £75million on Bruno Guimaraes, at least not while staying compliant with Profit and Sustainability rules. There would likely need to be some significant exits to pull off that kind of business.

If Rashford is to be the starting left-winger, it’s a risk. There is no guarantees he is a major upgrade on Trossard, even if he is a more dangerous player in terms of attacking talent. Rashford can be a major upgrade, but it’s no secret that he has had his problems with inconsistency, and Arteta needs a consistent player on that side of the attack. In short, there is a big upside but also a significant risk.

If Arsenal can sign him as an additional weapon on top of a left-sided elite winger, then it takes away the risk while protecting the upside.

That would make it a tremendous signing that few could complain about. It would be an absolute luxury.

But does Rashford want to be a player who is called upon here and there to make an impact? Only scenario A gives him anything close to guaranteed starting time, and that leaves Arsenal rolling the dice and hoping Rashford can carry his LaLiga form into a Premier League campaign.

Samuel Luckhurst recently provided an update on Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, who has now linked up with his teammates in the Republic of Ireland.

The Red Devils are set to face Leeds in Dublin on Wednesday before travelling to Poland for their final pre-season game against AC Milan.

United have been travelling all over Europe over the past month, playing in Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

A number of United players have been suffering with injury problems through the summer, stemming from the end of the season and the World Cup.

The list of players with fitness and/or injury problems at United recently is as follows:

• Matthijs de Ligt
• Benjamin Sesko
• Manuel Ugarte
• Lisandro Martinez
• Kobbie Mainoo
• Mason Mount
• Karl Darlow

We’ll be looking to provide the latest injury updates on all the aforementioned players.

Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt has been included at United’s Ireland training camp as he continues his recovery from back surgery.

The Dutch international is believed to be on track with his recovery after surgery three months ago, but he isn’t expected to be fit for the start of the Premier League season.

De Ligt is currently unable to train or play, but he’s still linked up with the United squad due to some team bonding elements planned over the course of the trip.

Benjamin Sesko

Benjamin Sesko has also linked up with the United squad this week, as he continues his recovery from injury.

The United striker is yet to feature for the club during pre-season. He stayed behind at Carrington to continue his recovery while his teammates travelled to Sweden to face Paris Saint-Germain.

It’s unclear whether Sesko will be fit enough to feature for United against Leeds this week, but it’s a positive that he’s with the group.

Manuel Ugarte

Manuel Ugarte is the only United player not with the first-team squad in Ireland at the moment.

The Red Devils confirmed back in July that the Uruguay midfielder has undergone surgery on a knee ligament injury suffered during the World Cup.

United didn’t set a timescale on his potential return, but he’s likely to spend a significant period on the sidelines.

Lisandro Martinez

Lisandro Martinez arrived a day later than his teammates in Ireland, but Samuel Luckhurst has confirmed that it wasn’t injury-related.

Martinez was given an extra day off after he played in the World Cup final just three weeks ago. You’d imagine the game will come too soon against Leeds as he starts his pre-season.

Reaching the final of the World Cup means Martinez has barely had a break this summer, so it’s certainly likely that he’ll be eased in gently, especially given his previous injury issues.

Kobbie Mainoo

Kobbie Mainoo missed England’s final game of the World Cup due to a back injury, but a report from the Manchester Evening News confirms that he should be returning soon.

The England international also jetted out to Ireland to link up with his teammates at the weekend, so he’ll be in with a shout to face Leeds.

Mason Mount

Mason Mount was substituted during United’s friendly against PSG, playing just 18 minutes against the European champions.

It’s a familiar story for the former Chelsea midfielder, who has struggled immensely with fitness issues since his move to Old Trafford.

Speaking after the game, Carrick provided an update, hinting that it was just a precautionary move from the Red Devils.

“He [Mount] got kicked. We just wanted to be careful and look after him. We’ve been lucky with injuries so far, so we wanted to be careful.”

Karl Darlow

Karl Darlow is still recovering from a minor procedure he had at the end of last season, but they are confident he will be fit in time for the new campaign.

Darlow is unlikely to be named in the starting eleven when the season starts, even if he is fit, but Carrick will be hoping to have him around.

Is with the United squad in Ireland, so be interesting to see whether he’s involved this week.

Aston Villa have been handed a major boost in their bid to land Bayern Munich star Joao Palhinha this summer. Unai Emery is now on the lookout for a new midfielder having lost Youri Tielemans this summer in what was a major blow, and that’s without addressing the loss of Morgan Rogers and the long-term injury suffered by Amadou Onana.

Villa have already made big midfielder signings in the form of Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi, who, on paper, will serve as the replacements for the two exitees. But Emery is going to want more given the quality of the two players who have left the club.

Bayern Munich star Palhinha is said to be a primary option, with the Portugal international having done well during a loan spell with Tottenham last season, but Spurs passed on their option to buy, instead going out and spending huge money on two other midfield signings.

That has given Villa an opportunity, and there is good news.

Joao Palhinha gives Villa the green light

According to The Sun, via the Birmingham Mail, Palhinha is open to sealing a move to Villa on loan this summer. The former Fulham man was said to be hoping to join Tottenham permanently earlier in the summer, but the signings of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes scuppered any chance of a move.

“He doesn’t just put pressure on them, he goes back to win the ball and does the tackle. It’s amazing to watch sometimes.” – Tom Cairney

Palhinha impressed with Fulham and Spurs, so it’s clear he is comfortable at Premier League level. A return is now on the cards, and the midfielder is seemingly up for the move, and a move to Villa will give him the chance to play Champions League football again.

Villa’s interest in Palhinha is serious, and the club’s sporting director, Damian Vidagany, has already said: “We need a midfielder because Amadou Onana is out for the entire season – and João Palhinha is a very good player who would fit our plans. We are in talks, but there is currently no agreement. If something were to happen, it would always be based on the great respect we have for Bayern.

“We are friendly clubs, and our relationship with Max Eberl, Christoph Freund, and all the other officials is excellent. Therefore, I cannot and do not wish to comment on any further details. I believe Aston Villa would be a great club for the player. In the league, six or seven clubs have a bigger budget than us.”

Joao Palhinha stats in the Premier League last season

• Appearances: 33
• Tackles: 3.3 per game
• Interceptions: 0.9 per game
• Clearances: 0.8 per game
• Goals: 5

Palhinha is a natural ball-winner

via Reuters

In terms of what Palhinha an offer, former Fulham teammate Tom Cairney said it best when he said: “If you lose the ball, he smells blood. He’s probably one of the best I’ve ever seen off the ball, in terms of getting back, recovering and trying to win back the ball.

“He doesn’t just put pressure on them, he goes back to win the ball and does the tackle. It’s amazing to watch sometimes. I think the fans have taken to him. I think he’s been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League.”

Then manager Marco Silva said: “He was an important player in so many moments of the game as well as at set-pieces, due to covering many spaces and allowing the other midfielders to create more freedom.”