Williams Makes His Move: Bilbao Winger Targets Old Trafford as Rashford Exit Looms

Nico Williams is plotting his escape from San Mames, and Manchester United could be his destination. The Athletic Bilbao winger has made it known that he wants out of La Liga and has specifically targeted Old Trafford as his next home, with reports from Spain suggesting he's asked the Basque club to facilitate his summer departure.

The timing makes perfect sense. United spent approximately £200m bolstering their attacking ranks last summer, and it's paid dividends—Michael Carrick's side currently sit third in the Premier League with their goal tally already exceeding last season's total. Yet Rashford's future remains murky, with his Barcelona loan arrangement unlikely to become permanent. Spanish reports indicate the England winger is heading for the exit, either to Catalonia or elsewhere in Europe.

Enter Williams. The 23-year-old Spanish international is understood to believe Old Trafford represents the perfect stage to elevate his career further. His profile—explosive pace, nimble footwork, and a lethal edge in one-on-one situations—fits the bill precisely for what United require on the left flank.

Williams has hardly been at his sparkling best this season. Injury troubles have hampered his campaign, and with Bilbao languishing in mid-table, he's managed just four goals and two assists across 21 La Liga outings. Still, the release clause of €100m embedded in his ten-year contract has attracted considerable attention from multiple Premier League suitors. Liverpool and Arsenal have both been credited with interest, with the Gunners previously thought to be leading the race as a potential home for the winger.

The 23-year-old stunned the football world when he penned that decade-long deal with Bilbao, temporarily putting paid to speculation about a move to Barcelona or England. Yet nothing's permanent in football, and the release clause has kept the door firmly ajar.

Carrick's impressive start—seven wins in his opening ten matches—has bought the club time to plan properly for the summer window. Managerial uncertainty remains, with several candidates under consideration for the long-term role, but the interim boss has demonstrated he can deliver results.

Former United midfielder Nicky Butt believes Carrick possesses the personality to get the best out of returning players should Rashford's Barcelona adventure fail to materialise. Speaking to Paddy Power, Butt highlighted Carrick's understanding of Rashford as both a person and a footballer, noting that the winger remains capable of operating at an elite level when his head is right.

"If he comes back, that will be a little golden nugget for Michael Carrick," Butt said. "One thing about Michael, he'll know him as a person, he'll know he's got his heart in the right place. Off the left-hand side, when Rashford's playing to the top of his ability, he's really tough to handle. I still think he's a top player."

Butt reckons Carrick's no-nonsense approach could prove crucial in rehabilitating Rashford's United career, should circumstances dictate his return. The former midfielder highlighted Carrick's ability to connect with players on a human level while maintaining the steel required at the highest level.

"He's the right personality to bring the best out of anybody. He's just another player that needs some love," Butt continued. "If you wipe the slate clean, and you forget about the last two years, 18 months of Man United, he's up there with the best in the world when he's on form. He's a phenomenal footballer, electric, but he just fell out of love with Man United and it was a fact."

The question now is whether Rashford wants to rebuild his United story, or whether the damage is too severe. Either way, Williams appears ready to step into the breach.