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Manchester United seeking £40 million for outcast attacker; PL rival’s clause debunked

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated May 17, 2025 11:13 AM ET

Manchester United are ready to sell Marcus Rashford for £40 million

Marcus Rashford’s career trajectory has taken yet another twist as the 27-year-old finds himself at a crossroads. Once heralded as the face of Manchester United’s future, the striker’s season has been a mixed bag, marred by inconsistency and injury setbacks. His loan move to Aston Villa brought flashes of brilliance, but with four goals and six assists in 18 appearances, Rashford fell short of reigniting his career as intended.

Now, as the summer transfer window looms, Rashford’s future is under the microscope once again. According to The Sun, Manchester United have set a clear asking price of £40 million for their academy product. Villa have the option to make the deal permanent, but they do not hold exclusive rights to his signature. Other clubs can swoop in with the same bid, adding an element of uncertainty to Villa’s plans.

For Unai Emery, the Rashford experiment appears to have run its course. The club has already confirmed that he will be unavailable for their penultimate fixture against Tottenham. With the final game of the season being against Manchester United, where he will also sit out, it seems increasingly likely that Rashford has already played his last game in a Villa shirt.

No Aston Villa clause available

Currently earning £315,000 per week, Rashford’s salary has become a significant stumbling block for potential suitors. During his loan spell at Aston Villa, the Midlands club covered roughly 75% of his wages, with United shouldering the remaining cost. For any permanent deal to work, a similar financial structure may be required, either with Villa or another club.

A further loan is not off the table if a full transfer cannot be agreed upon. However, Rashford has made his intentions clear: he wants a Champions League destination. That desire could further complicate negotiations, particularly if interested clubs are unable to balance their budgets while absorbing his considerable salary.

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Amorim is building a more direct, no-nonsense system — one that requires players to deliver at a consistently high level, both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, Rashford no longer fits that profile. Sentimentality can no longer dictate decisions at Old Trafford. The focus must shift to cold, practical assessments of what each player brings to the table.

If a club offers £40 million, United must accept without hesitation. That sum could be reinvested in areas of the squad that desperately need reinforcement. If no permanent deal materializes, another loan with a substantial wage contribution could be the next best course of action.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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