Man Utd can finally replace Rashford with £70m signing who’s “like watching Ryan Giggs”

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Manchester United suffered a classic case of “second season” syndrome this season, as they limp out of both the League Cup and Champions League and firmly dropped out of the race for the top four. This comes just as the Red Devils were beginning to show signs of improvement under Erik ten Hag.

The former Ajax manager has mainly failed to get the most out of a group of players who flourished for much of 2022–2023 despite injuries being a noticeable problem amid that sharp drop. The team made it to two cup finals and finished third in the Premier League.

Marcus Rashford, the team’s hero from the previous season, is one of those who has seen a marked decline in play. This season, the England international has only scored four goals in all competitions, all of which have come in the top division.

Numbers from Rashford’s 2023–2024 Premier League season

20 matches (16 starts)

Four objectives

two helpers

Six ‘huge chances’ were generated.

Every game, 0.9 critical passes are made.

40% of all duels were won.

1.6 effective dribbles every game

11.6 times more possessions are lost each game.

Six ‘huge chances’ were lost.

Statistics sourced from Sofascore

While the 26-year-old has contributed six assists, it is still a far cry from his record of thirty goals and eleven assists on all fronts in Ten Hag’s first season in charge. The United academy graduate scarcely deserves his lucrative new contract.

Whether the £300k-per-week striker is just unmotivated after that contract extension or is just having a hard time on a losing team, his manager claims he hasn’t reached the heights that were anticipated, despite the fact that he was occasionally “unstoppable” in 2023.

Now that Rashford is having a season akin to that of 2021–2022, when he also managed just four league goals, the club is finding his inconsistent play to be a frustrating issue, which is why they are searching for possible elite left wing alternatives.

1 Vincius Jr.

The viewpoint of Rayan Cherki, Vinicius Junior, Newcastle
Real Madrid’s Vincius Jr., perhaps the most impressive rival to replace Rashford, has recently been mentioned as a possible target for the Old Trafford team. United is reportedly willing to pay €150 million (£130 million) to sign the Brazilian, given that Madrid may need to cash in to finance the signing of Kylian Mbappe.

Having scored 10 goals and provided four assists in all competitions in 2023–24, the 23-year-old might be a significant upgrade on the left flank. Former Bernabeu star Guti has praised him as a player who “puts fear into defenders.”

Alejandro Garnacho, United States—Manchester
When it comes to the previous campaign, Rashford’s 44 goal involvements were even eclipsed by the Champions League winner, who made it to the last four by notably scoring 12 goals and dishing out assists in just as many games in Europe’s top competition.

The former Flamengo player is a clinical and inventive presence in the final third, but what really makes him stand out is his dribbling ability. In Europe’s top five leagues, he ranks in the top 1% of wingers for both successful take-ons per 90 and progressive carries; Rashford, on the other hand, only ranks in the top 50% and top 33% for those same metrics.

Of course, Ten Hag and the incoming Sir Jim Ratcliffe administration would undoubtedly view such a transaction as ambitious, but a team the size of United shouldn’t exactly set lofty goals.

Rafael Leao, second

Miguel-Leño-Acán, Milan
According to reports from Italy back in October, the Red Devils were also reportedly watching Rafael Leao, the sensational AC Milan player, who could be able to leave the San Siro team for the “right offer.”

The 24-year-old, who is valued at €100 million (£86 million) by CIES Football Observatory, has scored six goals and provided six assists so far this season. His 2022–2023 campaign was especially successful, as he recorded 16 goals and 15 assists.

Like Vinicius and Rashford, the former Lille star has a “killer mentality” and can play both centrally and off the left when needed. Ten Hag and company are probably drawn to this versatility.

Leao might replace Rashford sooner rather than later because he has previously said that the Englishman is someone he looks up to as a role “model”.

3 Khvaratskhelia Khvicha

Premier League khvicha-kvaratskhelia-napoli
Keeping with Serie A, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli looks to be a player that United, along with a few other European teams, are keeping an eye on. Late last year, 90min reported that the Red Devils had dispatched scouts to observe the Georgian play in Naples.

After starting his career in both his native country and Russia, the 22-year-old was mostly unknown until he made a splash in Italy with a stellar debut season that included leading Luciano Spaletti’s team to Scudetto victory the previous year.

Journalist Rory Smith called the Tbilisi native “untamed” and “really, really good fun” to watch as he scored 14 goals and provided 17 assists from his left wing position during that outstanding campaign.

Even though his five goals and five assists from the previous campaign for the resurgent Italian champions are hardly the most impressive, Old Trafford is undoubtedly interested in him based on his performances.

4 Nico Williams

Athlete Nico Williams of the Bilbao Premier League
In search of a younger Rashford replacement, Ratcliffe may also turn to Spain. Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao is reportedly a “ideal option” for the summer transfer window, according to an exclusive from UtdDistrict earlier this month.

The threat from Pamplona, who is only 21 years old, has scored 16 goals and provided 16 assists from the sides for the Basque team this season. Talent scout Jacek Kulig claims that the player has shown “incredible progress” in recent years.

The 11-cap Spain international, who also ranks in the top 5% and top 7% for successful take-ons per 90, respectively, may be a more cost-effective target for United this season given the £43 million release clause in his current contract with Bilbao.

5 Mitoma Kaoru

brighton kaoru-mitoma-asian-cup-2023
Undoubtedly, the excitement around Kaoru Mitoma has subsided a little bit this season. The Japanese star, who has recently piqued United’s interest, has only managed to score three goals and dish out six assists.

Having said that, the 26-year-old had an absolutely phenomenal 2022–2023 season for Brighton & Hove Albion, demonstrating with his 18 goal involvements that he is a genuinely “magic” talent, according to The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor.

The former Union Saint-Gilloise midfielder is “like watching Ryan Giggs at his very best,” according to pundit Tony Cascarino, who has also openly declared that Mitoma looks like a “United player” on the BBC’s Garth Crooks.

United would be in for a genuine treat if the £70 million genius can even come close to replicating the achievements of fellow winger Ryan Giggs, who won 13 league titles during a dazzling career at the Theatre of Dreams.

Watch out, Rashford.

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