CONFIRMED! Kylian Mbappe’s shock Man United transfer stance finally revealed for the January transfer window with Sir Jim Ratcliffe ready to bring star to Old Trafford

CONFIRMED! Kylian Mbappe’s shock Man United transfer stance finally revealed for the January transfer window with Sir Jim Ratcliffe ready to bring star to Old Trafford

Paris Saint-Germain risk losing their star striker on a free transfer in the summer which could see them reignite interest in one Man United star.

Dropped for the first time this season due to form-related issues and then brought on in his much-loathed No.9 position, Marcus Rashford might have enjoyed Wednesday’s win a little less than most.

The last straw came in Manchester United’s abysmal 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park a few days prior, a game in which he and Anthony Martial allowed the Newcastle defence one of the easiest games they’ll enjoy all season.

If this had been in April and Gareth Southgate had been present, then a plane ticket for Germany and Euro 2024 would be in major doubt.

Supporters have long been calling for Rashford to be dropped and apathy has only grown towards the forward in recent weeks. His decline has been helped in no part by the exceptional form of his main competitor for a place on the left-wing, Alejandro Garnacho.

Such has been the form of Garnacho – and even Antony in recent matches – that it is hard to see a swift return to the starting line-up for Rashford.

Which raises the question as to whether cashing in on the 26-year-old while he’s in his prime would be sensible, if not the romantic outcome many have predicted for years.

Paris Saint-Germain have made no secret of their admiration for Rashford, with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi previously admitting his side had explored a move for the England international.

“He’s another player that is really amazing,” Al-Khelaifi said of Rashford last December. “And for free? To have Rashford for free, every club would run after him, definitely.

“We’re not hiding it, we spoke before and… interest. But the moment was not a good moment for both sides. Maybe, summer, why not?”

Rashford’s brother, Dwaine Maynard, flew to Paris in the summer of 2022 to hear PSG out regarding any potential move, but the United forward has never hinted at his exit and the club have always been assured that he will stay.

He signed a five-year contract in July and vowed to bring more silverware to Old Trafford during that period.

But the future of Kylian Mbappe could see PSG reignite their interest in the summer. Mbappe’s current contract with the French side expires in the summer and he could leave as a free agent, which would be an incredible scenario.

Real Madrid have long been lurking in the background and some reports have suggested that club and player have made plans for a move already. Mbappe had made clear his desire to play for the Spanish giants and here represents a chance not only to do so, but also to secure a huge signing-on fee, courtesy of the money saved by not having to pay PSG.

That will leave the French side without a star forward and, potentially more importantly, humbled by Mbappe’s decision to leave. An attempt to flex their transfer muscle could see them return to long-term target Rashford, and it is hard to believe United will simply knock back the offer if it comes with an inflated transfer fee considering his form this term.

United were concerned enough about Financial Fair Play last summer to set a £120million transfer budget, although this was added to from player sales, with the points deduction doled out to Premier League rivals Everton a firm warning for clubs not to overstretch themselves financially. And that could well mean a large offer for Rashford may be considered by the club.

There are plenty of football matches between now and next summer and plenty more opportunities for Rashford to rediscover last season’s form. 30 goals last term is proof the United forward is not a write-off and Ten Hag will hope this is merely a poor patch.

But if the current trajectory continues, both with Rashford’s decline and Garnacho’s rapid improvement, then a big-money offer could force the question. Ten Hag will need to get the answer right