Barcelona are reportedly sending a message to Marcus Rashford’s camp with a transfer leak, while a Manchester United flop has been severely punished
Tom Victor Senior Sports Journalist and Neil Docking
11:41, 01 Apr 2026Updated 11:44, 01 Apr 2026
Michael Carrick’s Manchester United future beyond the end of the season remains unknown
With nearly a fortnight remaining until Manchester United return to action, matters away from the pitch continue to take centre stage.
The summer transfer window is edging closer and the destiny of several players – particularly Marcus Rashford – keeps grabbing the headlines. Rashford is amongst a handful of big earners shipped out on loan by United this season, alongside Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho. All three secured those moves while Ruben Amorim was still at the helm, however, Michael Carrick’s mid-season appointment has sparked talk about potential shifts in strategy.
Barcelona are believed to possess an affordable option to secure Rashford permanently, although there have been conflicting signals regarding the Catalan outfit’s intentions. A fresh target has been linked with Hansi Flick’s squad, yet matters might not be as straightforward as initially appeared. Meanwhile, one of Rashford’s former team-mates, Anthony Martial, finds himself making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Here’s all the latest news from Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick is a candidate for the permanent Manchester United job(Image: (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))
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Barca accused of smokescreen
Barcelona are deploying alleged interest in Osasuna winger Victor Munoz to help force down the asking price for Marcus Rashford, according to reports in Spain.
The La Liga pacesetters can secure Rashford for approximately £26million in the summer but it has been suggested that they’re still pursuing a reduction, reports the Mirror.
Munoz found the net on his senior Spain debut on Friday.
Marcus Rashford’s future is uncertain(Image: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nevertheless, Real Madrid retain 50% of the 22-year-old winger’s rights and this is believed to render a switch to Catalunya virtually impossible.
According to Navarre publication Diario de Noticias, Osasuna’s hierarchy regard Barca’s interest as a smokescreen designed to heap pressure on 28-year-old Rashford’s representatives.
“By leaking a supposed interest in Osasuna’s star player, Barcelona is trying to send a message to Rashford’s camp that “we have alternatives,” using Víctor’s excellent performance as a mere bargaining chip to lower the cost of other deals,” the publication reports.
Martial banished by Monterrey
Former Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has been instructed to keep away from training for the rest of the week by current employers Monterrey.
Anthony Martial joined Monterrey in September(Image: Getty Images)
According to TUDN, this follows the French forward having a meltdown after being relegated to the bench for his side’s latest fixture. Martial relocated to Mexico in September following a stint in Greece with AEK Athens.
The United flop – once the the world’s most expensive teenage footballer – required 12 league outings to net his maiden goal for Monterrey, which came in a 5-1 triumph at Mazatlan in January.
And he openly displayed his frustrations in the recent 3-2 loss to Chivas when youngster Joaquin Moxica was introduced ahead of him.
Boss Nicolas Sanchez has reportedly exiled the 30-year-old as punishment for his conduct.
Monterrey occupy ninth position after 12 matches of Mexico’s clausura campaign and have already been knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
