Man Utd targeting ‘top’ forward in summer after Rashford exit

Manchester United don’t want to repeat the mistakes of the past – signing a top forward would help them with that.

The winter window was always going to be unkind to a club working within strict financial parameters, with a mountain of mistakes also suffocating their possibilities.

United, in the circumstance of being haunted by the ghosts of recruitment past, actually navigated the January market well.

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They boxed off their priority; signing a left wing-back in Patrick Dorgu for £30m which was just below what they had budgeted for the position. He cures an immediate issue, but is also a long-term buy.

The club shifted Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa on loan with the potential of 90 per cent of his salary being recouped and a £40m purchase option, despite being in such a weak negotiating spot.

It was evident that Ruben Amorim was frustrated with the forward’s lifestyle and lack of application, and from the moment Rashford stated he was ready for a new challenge, it was clear that he did not intend to change his habits at the club.

Despite all the links, the noise and the PR, the fact was that the only teams to engage United over arranging a temporary move were Galatasaray and Villa, the latter acting in response to losing Jhon Duran to Al Nassr.

Borussia Dortmund enquired over the terms of a loan, while AC Milan and Barcelona spoke to Rashford’s camp. The former actively pursued Kyle Walker instead and the Catalans made it very clear that contract renewals were their priority.

Hansi Flick did not push for new signings, instead he convinced players that could have been sold to great financial benefit, like Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia, to stay at Barca.

Sources in Spain maintain the club were only interested in an opportunistic deal during this window – a late and affordable loan swerving large salary responsibility – given Rashford was seen as a rotation option.

They billed him as the force pushing matters, and at United, it was well known prior to this season that the 27-year-old was coveting a move to Barcelona. Juventus, meanwhile, prioritised Randal Kolo Muani and got that switch sealed.

Villa was a surprising twist to all involved, and it presents Rashford with a defined structure and platform to thrive under Unai Emery; a manager with a talent for rejuvenating players.

United are aware if he succeeds during this temporary spell, there will be fingers pointed at them but this does not change a few truths: the club have tried and failed to get a consistent tune out of Rashford under different managers, they have dealt with a series of disciplinary issues and they actually hope he does find his way.

The hierarchy have supported Amorim’s tough stance and sources that have worked with Erik ten Hag revealed he wished he could have been as strong with Rashford, but he could not take on another battle after Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, while the Mason Greenwood situation also complicated matters.

In defence of Rashford, he has played through injuries and the turbulence of different managers, while carrying the added burden of being a local lad. The club could be viewed as more of a hindrance to talent rather than a haven.

Many at United sympathise with him, there are broken hearts at what is seen as a sad ending, but the overall feeling is a wish that Rashford starts being honest with himself and that the habit of enabling him and overlooking poor decisions from his circle stops.

Back to the club’s other work, they also did well to get 84 per cent of Antony’s salary plus bonuses covered by Real Betis until the end of the season.

With a man-of-the-match performance on his debut, the Brazilian can improve his market value in the next few months.

Tyrell Malacia is close to finalising a loan switch to PSV, and so the only player United really failed to shift in the window was Casemiro.

The signing of Ayden Heaven, 18, from Arsenal, formed part of a wider drive to increase United’s pool of young talent, following Diego Leon and Chido Obi-Martin as recent examples.

Technical director Jason Wilcox has led an aggressive approach to ensure that the pathway to the first team is well stocked, with even the profile for the senior side itself focusing more on younger stars that have amassed top experience, as seen with Leny Yoro and Dorgu.

Unquestionably, United have left themselves short in attack. The club spent the entirety of the window trying to line up a deal for a forward if they lost Antony, plus one of either Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho.

Kolo Muani went to Juventus, Christopher Nkunku did not want a loan move from Chelsea, Leon Bailey was a no-go from Villa and United showed they wouldn’t panic buy with Mathys Tel.

Bayern Munich wanted a £5m loan fee from the club for the unproven 19-year-old and did not want to include a buy option.

United felt they would be developing the player for the benefit of the Bundesliga giants and whomever they would eventually sell him to. Like Arsenal, they decided to pass on the player who eventually joined Tottenham.

United were sensible in the winter window to allow more freedom in the summer. A guaranteed goalscorer is a priority and has been for several seasons.

An interesting element is that in Omar Berrada, Wilcox and the rest of the senior executive team, the club now have people who would aggressively pursue a target they want rather than not even try.

The defeatism over Harry Kane still hangs heavy over United, as does the non-action over Erling Haaland when they had a head start thanks to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

While there is still belief Rasmus Hojlund can fulfil his potential and there is admiration over Joshua Zirkzee’s personality and professionalism, United need a talisman in front of the posts.

The club have put in motion a deal for Sporting winger Geovany Quenda, 17, but they could also do with someone of Viktor Gyokeres’ talents.

United have stumbled around, either pursuing forwards past their best or those with everything still to prove.

If they want to stop repeating mistakes, signing a player to actually scare opposition defences would not just be a healthy start – it would help shape the rest of their decisions.