United Circle Ndiaye as Rashford Successor and Eye Atletico's Llorente Swoop

With Marcus Rashford seemingly destined for Barcelona—where he's thrived on loan and where the Spanish club are exploring swap arrangements to sidestep the £26m permanent fee—Manchester United are already plotting their replacement strategy in the transfer market.

The Red Devils have zeroed in on Everton's Iliman Ndiaye as the ideal solution to fill Rashford's void. The Senegal international, who arrived at Goodison Park from Marseille for £15m last summer, carries a hefty valuation of €70m [£61m]. United's interest in the 24-year-old is described as intense, with the club viewing his acquisition as a statement of genuine ambition.

This recruitment push comes amid United's resurgence under Michael Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim and is making a compelling case for the permanent role come season's end. Regardless of who ultimately commands the technical setup, the club's hierarchy remain active in the market.

Midfield reinforcement remains a stated priority, with United assessing options including Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, and Brighton's Carlos Baleba. However, the addition of attacking reinforcements is equally crucial to their plans.

Beyond Ndiaye, United have identified Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente as a key target for the coming campaign. The 31-year-old's contract runs until 2027, and United are preparing an offer worth €40m [£35m], hoping to capitalise on the approaching final years of his deal.

Llorente's primary role is right-back, though Diego Simeone has deployed him across multiple midfield positions—a versatility that holds considerable appeal for the Old Trafford hierarchy. Despite being in his thirties, Llorente maintains the physical standards required for immediate and sustained impact.

United's intention is to accelerate negotiations before rival European clubs enter the fray for one of Atletico's most prized assets. Further discussions between the parties are anticipated once clarity emerges regarding who will permanently oversee the club's technical direction.