Manchester United's $79M Star Could Leave To Lead Barcelona's Attack: Reports

Manchester United's star forward Marcus Rashford reportedly could leave Old Trafford next summer amid interest from FC Barcelona.

Barcelona are set to undergo a massive transition and are planning to offer Rashford a chance to lead their attack, reported Catalan publication El Nacional.

Manchester United's new head coach Ralf Rangnick is believed to be looking at backing Jadon Sancho, while he also wants to nurture Red Devils' upcoming star, Mason Greenwood. Further reducing Rashford's game time, it goes without saying that the Portuguese duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes will always be sure-starters at Manchester United.

In order to gain more game time, Rashford may opt to part ways with his boyhood club but Barcelona could struggle to match the English forward's asking price due to their ongoing financial crisis. Manchester United are expected to value Rashford at around $79 million, according to ESPN.

The asking price is less than Rashford's current market value, which is around $94 million and is currently on the rise, according to Transfermarkt.

Rashford is contracted with Manchester United until 2023 and the club has an option to extend it by a year.

It has been a tough year for Rashford, who played a secondary role for England national team at the Euros 2020. He missed a penalty in the final against Italy and had to face severe online abuse because of that. Following that he underwent shoulder surgery that put him on the sidelines for the first 10 matches of the 2021-22 campaign.

He has managed to bag only 565 minutes on the field, across 11 matches, across all competitions, where he has netted three goals and an assist.

Apart from Rashford, Barcelona are also interested in signing his Old Trafford teammate Edinson Cavani. It has been reported that the Uruguayan forward has informed Manchester United that he wants to join Barcelona. Cavani has less than six months left on his current contract and the Catalans are hoping to sign him as a free agent in the summer of 2022.

Manchester United's next assignment is a trip to Norwich City in the Premier League on Saturday. After 15 matches into the season, the Red Devils have 24 points and are placed sixth in the 2021-22 Premier League table.