Yeah, but I doubt they are trying real hard. We are talking about 4 months on half wages, probably, so let's say about 3M. It's not like paying for a real transfer. I think this was Rashford wanting to go to the big name, and them being a little interested but not really.

My guess is that the optics of Rashford moving to Arsenal, even on loan, are something neither United nor Rashford's camp want. Would be weird to see but Villa on loan makes more sense.

I don't know, if I were Rashford, I would rather have the high profile of Arsenal. You can't stay a United fan forever. The Manc born and bred era is rapidly coming to an end. (I don't like it, he will always be one of my guys, but I'm just saying, he needs to be a little… well, mercenary-like to be honest).

And as far as United… we aren't catching either one this year, so it isn't like we are rivals in anything other than history this year. And speaking of historical rivals… if someone could pass the team currently in first, that would be fantastic. (I think it is pretty much over, though, unfortunately).

Nothing is certain these days and nothing surprises me anymore, but the rumors have been he prefers a club outside of the EPL. I can't think of a United player ever moving to a historical rival in (theoretically) the prime of their career especially one that started with the club at 7 years old. If he moved to Arsenal, it would in some ways be more surprising than if Rooney had moved on when he was rumored to do so. And on top of that, I don't see what exactly United would gain from that. They would need a substantial fee outright or a loan with a mandatory obligation to buy (at a substantial price) which I doubt Arsenal would commit to. Rashford can help Arsenal but is he going to walk in and start the majority of matches? Definitely not and he'll likely, for the remainder of the season, be an option rather than the option. I would want more than what Arsenal are likely to offer.

The Villa rumor though...from a United POV makes some sense. Similar to the Antony loan, it's an opportunity to put Rashford in the shop window but without much short term financial benefit. Emery likes Rashford and seems like the environment there could be conducive to him regaining his form. If he does, then sell him for 80 million to whomever in the summer...even Arsenal. Or you know if that Jhon Duran money is burning a hole in their pocket and they want to give all of it to us now, then that's fine too.

Ayden Heaven (if he makes it in the first team, the song options for him are numerous...off the top of my head, a riff off of Just Like Heaven seems perfect) officially signed from Arsenal's academy. That's two in 6 months from Arsenal's academy. Will be interesting to see how this strategy plays out and if one team clearly got it right over the other.

🚨🚨 BREAKING: Aston Villa are close to signing Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United!

The deal is expected to get done with a buy option and significant salary coverage! 🤯 [@David_Ornstein, @lauriewhitwell]
#MUFC pic.twitter.com/jhSyQ8K5u4

— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) February 1, 2025

Well that escalated quickly. Ahtletic reporting loan to Villa is close. They will cover a "significant" portion of his wages and there will be an option to buy. Doesn't sound like Rashford has agreed to it yet but seems like the clubs are closer.

Well, we are in the last weekend of the transfer window, so might as well engage in transfer speculation. Plettenberg of Sky Germany is reporting United may make a formal approach for Mathys Tel, the young left winger not getting enough minutes at Bayern. Spurs agreed a deal with Bayern for a loan with a 50M obligation to buy package, but he basically said "no" to Spurs. You would assume they would basically want the same deal from someone else. Plettenberg is saying we have been in contact and may make a formal offer if we are able to move Marcus. This feels substantive and not just transfer filler to me, but we'll see. He is not in Bayern's team sheet today.

🚨🔴 Manchester United have once again clearly signaled to FC Bayern in the last few hours that they are considering submitting a concrete loan offer for Mathys #Tel.

ManUtd want to prepare in case Marcus #Rashford moves to Aston Villa. Bayern are now awaiting the next move… pic.twitter.com/DzqQGDQhRp

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) February 1, 2025

(I should note that we are not the only ones in the race. Villa, Arsenal, and Chelsea have also enquired. I think we are in a better position than Chelsea because he wants playing time and they have about 50 wingers, including Sancho who is under an obligation to buy. I assume Villa would be out of the picture if they get Marcus. So potentially us or Arsenal have the best shot, and it seems like we are getting more paper chatter than Arsenal; maybe just because we sell more papers despite being bad, I don't know).

With Dorgu in Manchester for his medical, it appears United are willing to let Malacia go. Rumors he's going on loan to Benfica.

Loan for Malacia would be good. He really needs more pt. Very talented but needs the experience. Hope whatever we do we have a buy back clause for him.

Benfica is kind of a funny choice because he's effectively going to the same club as the player he more or less displaced in Alvaro Fernandez/Carreras. (But as I've said I think they may sell in the summer, so they could well be seeing if Malacia could be a replacement, so it isn't like it doesn't make any sense. Malacia looks like a bit of a reclamation project, though, based on his limited time lately).

I kind of think his United career is over if he leaves on loan. He'll be 26 to start next season which is far from old but old enough that we shouldn't expect a lot of improvement. Hard to know how United rate him given his injuries but I don't think they see him as part of a long term project back to being decent.

Malacia move has fallen apart.

🚨⚠️ Tyrell Malacia’s loan move to Benfica from Man United has definitely collapsed.

No agreement on loan fee and future buy option.

👀 Man United keep looking at options for Malacia as there are several loan requests. pic.twitter.com/eugrDJfRLk

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2025

Malacia deal to Benfica is off per Fabrizio. Personally, I don't care that much, he's bad but at least he's cheap, I'm sure they will find somewhere to send him. If not, oh well, he can go in the summer.

Athletic reporting that Rashford is set for a medical today to finalize a loan move with an option to buy. Villa will cover 75% of his salary and potentially 90% based on performance. Option to buy is 40m which is a lot lower than I would have wanted but what the hell do I know. Maybe the fact that they are committing to covering a large portion of his current wages played a part in lowering the option.

If this is indeed the end, I'm sad to see him go. It shouldn't end this way. Of course he had a role to play in how this turned out but the last 10 years of complete ineptitude around him also played its part and had just as much to do with this story at United as anything else.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6106583/2025/02/02/marcus-rashford-aston-villa-transfer-loan/?source=whatsappuk

The biggest factor in the fee is his wages. He's not worth the wages he's getting paid, and he's unlikely to want to get paid less. Possibly less per year but certainly not less overall (longer contract). The low fee is offsetting the high wages.

This is basically a 100MM move in terms of total cost when you factor in salary.

All I'm saying is that I was led to believe the English player surcharge was higher when selling to an English team.

Well scrap that formation. There is nobody in the attacking midfield and nobody to link Ugarte and Bruno with the attacking front 3.

17 shots in the game (10 - 7 in favor of United) and exactly 1 on goal (Palace forced a good save). Mainoo did hit the post early on and there have been some ok spells but Palace had at least 2 good chances besides the save.

Not playing with a striker appears to be worse for your attack than playing with Hojlund/Zirkzee. So it seems they are indeed better than nothing.

And now I have to watch an Arsenal v City commercial. Why, Peacock? Why?

I guess Hughes is immune from both reckless foul calls and persistent infringement.

And another goal given up on a free kick.

Classic. Onana with a 4" vertical and Maguire keeping the goal scorer onside

Ref finally books Hughes

I like him, but the goal was more Yoro's fault than Onana. It would be nice if he could tip the first shot over the bar, but at that range that was far from given.

Martinez immediately signaling for a sub...

Yeah that looks like a long injury for Martinez….

Still time to get a defender before the window closes? Looks like Lisandro's season is over. Again.

Ugh. Thats not a good looking injury for Licha, especially for a guy who has had knee issues.

Also I've learned that we gotta start doing more small pushes in the back because they don't seem to call it in the EL or the EPL. Think Yoro got the same little push that Maguire got against Rangers.

I think pushes not getting called is about 50% of Arsenal's set piece magic…

Dalot is literally braindead

If he's literally brain dead, running is quite an amazing accomplishment

Jesus

Well that settles that. Not a great defensive day.