He's like prime Rashford: Man Utd lining up move to sign "explosive" £34m star
It's now 18 months since Marcus Rashford last pulled on a Manchester United shirt, the Englishman having not featured for his parent club since trudging off away at Viktoria Plzen back in late 2024. A swift exit to Aston Villa followed soon after, while the 28-year-old has since flourished out on loan in Barcelona, claiming the first league title of his career at Camp Nou. The LaLiga champions might be keen to re-negotiate, but the likelihood is that a permanent deal will be struck before too long, even after talk of a return to Old Trafford this summer.
Michael Carrick, a former teammate of Rashford, may well be tempted to reintroduce the forward next season, although it's best for all parties if an exit is secured, with United needing to find a successor instead on that left flank.
Man Utd in the hunt for £34m Bundesliga sensation
Rashford was memorably part of Ruben Amorim's so-called 'bomb squad' last summer, with the Portuguese coach moving on a raft of attackers, including Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony.
Ex-United players this season
Player
Games
Goals (Assists)
Rashford
48
14 (14)
Sancho
38
1 (3)
Garnacho
42
8 (4)
Antony
45
14 (10)
Hojlund
43
15 (8)
It might have ended sourly for Amorim, but he must be credited for overseeing such ruthless transfer dealings, having arguably upgraded with the signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. With Carrick at the helm now, attacking recruits are likely to again be on the agenda this time around, with reports earlier this week indicating that INEOS have already explored a deal for AC Milan's Rafael Leao.
Equally, too, Sky Sports Germany have reported that United are one of the clubs interested in Hoffenheim starlet, Bazoumana Toure, with the 20-year-old destined for a move after the club's failure to secure Champions League qualification. The report suggests that Liverpool are also in the mix, while both Aston Villa and Newcastle United have shown more 'concrete interest' , following a real breakout year or so for the Ivorian.
There isn't a release clause in the winger's contract, although he could be available for a fee of around €40m (£34m).
Why Toure could be like prime Rashford at Man Utd
Rashford's time at United may have been a tale of inconsistency, but when in confident mood, he was almost unstoppable at his best, so lethal in that left channel.
Having first burst onto the scene as a mere teenager in 2016/17, 'Rashy' had matured into a powerhouse forward by the time of his 17 Premier League goals in 2019/20, a tally he later matched while hitting 30 in all competitions in 2022/23. A mix of frightening pace, power and a devastating end product, the academy graduate was a sight to behold in full flow, a real weapon in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's counter-attacking side.
While Toure might only be 20, there is a similar feel to his game, with the left-footer boasting his own blend of frightening pace and elite dribbling prowess. Indeed, in the view of journalist Bence Bocsak, he is "one of the most exciting young wingers in Europe", having also been likened to a "young Sadio Mane".
Also hailed as an "explosive winger" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Toure mirrors Rashford in offering a threat both as a goalscorer and as a provider, as he's shown across his time at both Hammarby and Hoffenheim. In Sweden, for instance, he scored nine times in just 23 games in all competitions, prior to departing for the Bundesliga in February 2025, while he has since racked up 15 assists in 45 games in Germany, scoring five goals.
In the Bundesliga this season, he registered 15 goal involvements, while creating 11 'big chances' and boasting an average of 1.5 key passes made per game.
For comparison, while ahead with 24 goal involvements during his Solskjaer peak in 2019/20, Rashford's record otherwise was similar in the Premier League that season, creating nine 'big chances' and averaging 1.1 key passes per game.
In terms of their ball-carrying ability too, the pair are rather alike, with Toure averaging 1.6 successful dribbles per game, just behind Rashford's average of 1.9 in 2019/20. A teammate of Amad at international level, Toure is such an exciting, dynamic young talent, currently playing with a fearlessness and a freshness that Rashford showcased in his youthful pomp.
Just as it was for Rashford, it might not necessarily be a smooth ride from now on, but there's enough for INEOS and Carrick to be encouraged by, with a possible £34m deal surely too good to ignore for such a promising, rising star.
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