Only six days to go until the transfer window swings shut and it would appear that Marcus Rashford still has his heart set on a move to Barcelona.
The forward’s future at Manchester United looks bleaker than ever after boss Ruben Amorim said he would rather pick his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach than the England star.
But as Rashford waits on Barca in the hope that the Catalan giants can find room on their roster and space in the wage bill to accommodate a significant portion of his £315,000-a-week salary, there is a danger that other doors may close on him.
A number of clubs remain interested in Rashford, notably Borussia Dortmund who are understood to have come up with the best package if he would be more open to a move to the Bundesliga.
Rashford has been frozen out at Old Trafford as he seeks a move away from his boyhood club
Rashford struck against Barcelona when United drew 2-2 in the Nou Camp in February 2023
Tottenham, West Ham, Juventus, Napoli and Galatasaray are among the others ready to offer him an escape route from Old Trafford for the remainder of the season.
Monaco are believed to have taken a step back and Fenerbahce’s vice-president, the Hull City owner Acun Ilicali, said on Tuesday that the 27-year-old is not under consideration for Jose Mourinho’s side either. Arsenal have ruled themselves out of the running.
Do Rashford and his representatives, brothers Dwaine Maynard and Dane Rashford, hold their nerve and wait for Barcelona in the short time remaining in the transfer window, or take one of the other offers on the table?
If the gamble backfires, the England forward could face a long four months in the cold at United trying to convince Amorim that he deserves a second chance.
Touts to blame for Rangers chaos
The initial findings of United’s internal investigation into the problems that saw a number of Rangers fans infiltrate areas of Old Trafford reserved for home supporters last week have showed that widespread ticket touting was to blame.
It became apparent during United’s 2-1 Europa League win that tickets for the Battle of Britain tie had fallen into the wrong hands amid concerns that United season-ticket holders may have passed them on.
However, Confidential has learned that the majority of the rogue Rangers fans picked them up from ticket websites that use bots posing as members to buy up tickets and re-sell them at higher prices.
Thousands of Rangers fans are believed to have bought tickets in the home end last Thursday
United have introduced digital ticketing since similar issues arose against Galatasaray in the Champions League in October 2023, which involves tighter measures including QR codes being issued three hours before kick-off.
But sources indicate the practice is difficult to prevent because the touts can bypass the system by passing on the codes or selling log-in details.
The problem is understood to exist at most United games – and other matches and events around the country – but it was particularly noticeable last Thursday because Rangers fans are more vocal than most and Greater Manchester Police corralled the individuals into one group close to the Rangers away end for security purposes.
Rangers brought around 10,000 fans to Old Trafford, but their away end allocation was 3,700
There were 39 arrests on the night as Greater Manchester Police cracked down on clashes
Around 10,000 Rangers fans are estimated to have travelled down, despite only having 3,700 tickets in the away end.
United have used the data available to them to track down accounts linked to the tickets and impose sanctions. A smaller number of season-ticket holders were also found to be responsible, and the club are still investigating to find out where some Uefa tickets ended up.
Fans’ fury at 7pm Sunday start
United fans are furious with the Premier League and broadcasters after being handed another Sunday 7pm kick-off.
Ruben Amorim’s side will travel to Leicester on Sunday, March 16 in the latest United match to be placed in the unpopular slot, following the win at Fulham last weekend. The train timetable for that date has yet to be fully confirmed but there is currently only one service from Leicester to Manchester post-match.
While the club have previously rejected earlier start times on Sunday in Europa League weeks to allow for more time between matches, the decision has angered fans who have hit out at the scheduling of the fixture.
A spokesperson for the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust said: ‘Seven o’clock Sunday kick-offs are a nightmare for match-going fans with a few post-match public transport options combined with the spectre of “work in the morning” for most.
United’s 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend won’t be their final late Sunday trip this season
United fans will be forced to trek back from Leicester at 9pm on Sunday night
‘As ever the needs of broadcasters always seem to be put first, with fans in the ground little more than an afterthought.’
The Football Supporters’ Association added: ‘There’s no doubt that match-going supporters feel the Premier League and its clubs put television first all too often.
‘We’re not sure if there’s a more stark example of this than Sunday evening games which are really unpopular with match-goers.
‘Public transport options are limited to non-existent while it’s a really difficult kick-off time if you go to the match with young kids.’
United ride the storm
Storm Herminia might have blown United’s travel plans off course on Sunday, but it only delayed Ruben Amorim and his players for just under an hour more than scheduled.
United were due to fly back from Luton Airport after their win over Fulham, but the plane was grounded on Sunday morning because of the poor weather conditions.
Amorim (centre) was one of the first down the tunnel after Fulham and travel issues lay ahead
The team bus that was due to take the squad from Craven Cottage to the airport instead drove them all the way back to Manchester instead.
United arrived in the car park at Manchester Airport at 1.30am, only slightly later than if they had landed as planned and then got a shuttle bus to their cars.
Amorim keeps his 40th low-key
Ruben Amorim had plenty to celebrate on Monday as he was able to enjoy his 40th birthday in the wake of United’s win at Fulham, but Confidential understands the head coach wanted to keep things low-key at Carrington.
Players and staff presented Amorim with a cake in the canteen and wished him a happy birthday, but there was no party with the United boss keen to focus on Thursday’s Europa League tie against Steaua Bucharest.
It’s understood Amorim wanted a quiet celebration for his 40th birthday
The squad involved at Fulham had a recovery session at the training ground, and those who didn’t feature at Craven Cottage – including Marcus Rashford – took part in full training.
The Portuguese coach is believed to have enjoyed a family celebration in the evening with his wife Maria and their two children.
Collyer is an Insta hit
As important as Lisandro Martinez’s goal was to secure victory for United at Fulham, it was a result that owed plenty to the goalline clearance from Toby Collyer late on.
The youngster, who is now coming into his own in the first team, has been a revelation in recent weeks and it has also been reflected off the pitch.
Collyer impressed again at Fulham last weekend and his social media following has soared
The United academy graduate has made eight appearances so far this season
Collyer, 21, has seen his rapid rise extend to his Instagram page where he has earned almost 80,000 new followers this month, according to SocialBlade.
While he is sharing a dressing room with some of football’s biggest stars who boast millions of social media followers, Collyer is carving out his own name and interventions like the one at Fulham aren’t doing him any harm…
Rio Ferdinand has revealed his United old boys group chat is ‘hammering’ the current team
Rio and Co gang up on United
United have suffered unfavourable comparisons to great teams of the past, and it won’t help the current crop to learn that the Champions League winners of 2008 are conducting a running commentary on their troubled season via WhatsApp.
Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast with guest Ella Toone, the former United defender revealed that Wayne Rooney, Nani, Anderson, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck have been ‘hammering’ Ruben Amorim’s side during games on their chat, named Band of Brothers.
The old boys group were part of the squad that beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow 17 years ago to win the Champions League. It also includes goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who was presented in front of the crowd at Fulham when his two former clubs met at Craven Cottage on Sunday, and even Jonny Evans who is still playing for United.
‘It’s just hammering the United team,’ said Ferdinand, showing his phone to United women’s star Toone. ‘Look, lads are just hammering them through the game.
Ferdinand revealed the scathing messages on his podcast with United women’s star Ella Toone
Wayne Rooney is among the former United players in the ‘Band of Brothers’ group chat
‘Wazza, I think, was the last person who spoke in there. It’s called Band of Brothers. It’s the 2008-2010 team. You’ve got the younger lads like Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck, and there’s Nani and Anderson. You know who’s joined recently? Edwin van der Sar. I think he’s going to delete himself soon because the chat ain’t for him.
‘Who else is in there? Jonny Evans is in there who’s currently playing. Some of the stuff that goes on: Patrice Evra gets mullered, hammered all the time. We hammer each other.
‘Because you know, lads, sometimes you don’t speak. We’ve been on an amazing journey together and then you all part ways and go separately. We’ve got all this technology now, you’ve got to use it.’
Listen to the full Rio Meets Ella Toone interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Now Under 18s tackle autograph hunters
One interesting observation at a recent game hosted at Leigh Sports Village is the desire to clamp down on post-match autograph hunters.
Many youth team games, as well as women’s team games, are hosted over in Leigh and fans typically stay behind after matches to get autographs and selfies. Those teams have long been very gracious with their time and are signing and taking pictures long after the final whistle.
But after the Under 18s’ FA Youth Cup fourth round win over Preston North End there was an awkward stand-off with fans not exiting the stadium and players being kept on the pitch until they departed. One steward working that night explained that a new directive is trying to put a lid on the demands on players due to an excessive number of autograph requests.
Confidential has previously written extensively about the issue, not least when Sir Alex Ferguson was intercepted for autographs at Kath Phipps’ funeral.
Fergie sees his old boys honoured
Two former first-teamers were honoured at the Academy Celebration Event held at Old Trafford last weekend which was attended by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The annual ceremony is an opportunity for United to acknowledge the success of their academy graduates in other sports, education, community work and personal growth off the pitch.
Phil Mulryne and Craig Cathcart both came through the academy under Ferguson
Midfielder Phil Mulryne, who came through the youth system under Ferguson and was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 2017, received the Lifelong Learning award while his fellow Northern Irishman Craig Cathcart was recognised for Achievements in Football.
Many of the presentations were for the Under 9s to Under 16s age groups, and Ferguson handed out United at Heart awards to two youngsters. United’s academy player liaison officer Dave Bushell also received an award from the legendary United manager to mark 30 years’ service at the club.
Cox tribute to stalwart Whelan
A word on Tony Whelan, a stalwart of the club for the past 34 years.
A crucial figure for so many years in the club’s academy, where he took on a coaching role in 1990 following an invite from Nobby Stiles and Brian Kidd, Whelan’s role as academy advisor has come to an end.
Ninety-seven academy graduates broke into the first team under Whelan’s watch and so many at the club have been keen to pay tribute to him since it emerged his last day was December 31.
‘Tony didn’t want a big announcement made or any attention drawn to his departure,’ academy director Nick Cox said. ‘As has often been the case during his time at the club, Tony did not seek the limelight. Tony made an immense contribution to the football club since returning in 1990, having first represented United as a player between 1968 and 1973.
Tony Whelan had an arena named after him at the Cliff training centre
‘He gave more than 30 years’ service to the club, holding a variety of roles including Soccer Schools coach, academy coach, head of coaching and most recently academy advisor. Tony transcended many eras at United having played under Sir Matt Busby, worked closely with Sir Alex Ferguson and played a key role in crafting our world leading youth development system.
‘His work, along with other talented colleagues, to launch the academy in its modern form in 1998 paved the way for the success that we see today.’
JJ Gabriel back with a bang
Speaking of the academy, JJ Gabriel has returned from injury with a bang and the 14-year-old has been included in the Under 17s squad to face Newcastle United on Tuesday.
Confidential has written previously about how coaches have been blown away by the diminutive attacker’s development and the expectation is that he will make his debut for the Under 18s before the season concludes.
Gabriel recently made his comeback against Manchester City and turned the game on its head, before adding another goal to his name in the Under 16s’ 3-1 win over Wolves at the weekend.
Having been forced to watch from the sidelines after a troublesome shoulder injury at the back end of last year, Gabriel is back and ready to dominate youth football once again.
Holocaust lesson for kids
United’s Under 14s will take on Manchester City on Tuesday evening after the teams joined together for two days to learn about the Holocaust.
The youngsters from United and City were given education sessions to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday, and on Tuesday they heard from guest speaker Noemie Lopian, the daughter of two Holocaust survivors who talked about the devastating experiences her parents endured in World War Two.
Mount and Dalot invest in league
Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot are among the stars who are investing in the Baller League, a new six-a-side competition that claims to merge the worlds of street football and internet influencers.
Investment company APEX are putting nearly £20million into the venture which has already proved a success in Germany, where it averaged over 3million spectators per matchday on Twitch.
Baller League will now open up in the US and UK in 2025, with influencers YouTube stars KSI and IShowSpeed named as the presidents of the respective competitions. Other footballers to back the idea include Andre Silva, Diogo Jota and Jose Fonte.
Diogo Dalot (left) and Mason Mount are among the new investors in the Ballers League
Mount said: ‘Ballers League brings football together with social media influencers who have huge followings.
‘It’s a great way to make the game more accessible and reach even more fans. I’m excited to see Baller League has come to the UK and can’t wait to watch the first game.’
His United teammate Dalot added: ‘As a professional football player, I’m always looking for new ways to connect with the game I love. Baller League offers a fresh perspective, combining football with exciting entertainment.
‘It’s a great opportunity to explore a new side of the sport and contribute to the popularity of football in general.’
