Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. (REUTERS/Craig Brough)
Manchester United sent a whole host of players out on loan last season — and, mostly, they thrived.
Antony, who famously struggled following his big-money move from Ajax, shone at Real Betis, helping the club reach the Europa Conference League final. He found the net for fun again and impressed with his silky skills — which were often ridiculed at Old Trafford.
Jadon Sancho, meanwhile, spent the season at Chelsea, scoring in the final of that same competition as the Blues beat Betis. Like Antony, he impressed — albeit sporadically — rediscovering flashes of the form that made him so highly rated as a youngster at Borussia Dortmund.
Elsewhere, Tyrell Malacia helped PSV Eindhoven lift the Eredivisie title.
But perhaps none of United’s loanees impressed or made quite the splash as Marcus Rashford.
Following a difficult few years, the 27-year-old was shipped off to Aston Villa in January, where he went on to make 27 appearances under Unai Emery, scoring four goals and providing six assists. More importantly, he impressed with his dynamic, aggressive play in the final third — a version of Rashford we haven’t seen in quite some time.
He won’t be staying at Villa permanently, though. And with no future for him at the Theatre of Dreams, he’s set to leave United this summer.
But where, you ask? Well, maybe… Germany.
Bayern Could Bid for Rashford
According to a new report from The Sun, no less than reigning German champions Bayern Munich are interested in signing Rashford.
They were impressed by his revival at Villa Park and could submit a formal offer in the coming weeks.
Bayern boss Vincent Kompany is keen to upgrade his attacking options, with Liverpool’s Luis Díaz also on the radar. Bayern had an approach for the Colombian rejected recently, and with Díaz seemingly intent on staying at Anfield, Bayern could now turn their full attention to Rashford.
They’ll face competition, though. Barcelona are also long-time admirers, and Rashford is believed to be open to a move to Camp Nou.
If he does end up in Bavaria, Rashford would link up with fellow England international Harry Kane — a move that would complete one of the great redemption arcs in recent memory.
Speaking about his resurgence, former England striker Daniel Sturridge said it best.
“The narrative before he came here was that he’s not the same player anymore,” Sturridge told Amazon Prime. “He’s proven everyone wrong. He has come here and shown everybody this is who I am, and this is how I play. This is what I can bring to the table.”
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