- Marcus Rashford has had his squad number taken off him and allocated away
- He is one of five first team stars who have told Man United they want to leave
- Those five do not need to report for the start of pre-season training on Monday
Manchester United have told five unsettled stars to stay away from the training ground when the rest of the squad report for pre-season at Carrington on Monday.
United sources say the decision to delay the return of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia is because they want to leave the club after going out on loan last season and now have more time to explore a move.
However, it keeps them away from head coach Ruben Amorim who has fallen out with Rashford and told Garnacho to ‘pray’ he can find a new club this summer.
The five players will still be allowed to access the medical and rehab facilities at Carrington if needed, but Amorim and the rest of the squad will have gone on pre-season tour to the US by the time they are required to report for training later this month at the earliest.
By giving the group an approximate return date and time to secure a move, while allowing them access to the medical department – both at the training ground and remotely – United have been careful not to be in breach of contract.
The news came after Amorim returned to Carrington on Friday and it emerged that Rashford was expecting to play a full part in pre-season and give 100 per cent while he remains a United player.
Marcus Rashford (left) and Alejandro Garnacho (right) are part of a group of five players who have been told they do not need to report to Manchester United pre-season training next week
Tyrell Malacia (left) went on loan to PSV Eindhoven but they chose not to make it permanent
Antony had a great spell on loan with Real Betis and he is eager to leave Manchester United
Rashford’s No 10 shirt has been given to Matheus Cunha, regardless of whether he leaves
The 27-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa after Amorim criticised his attitude in training, has been linked with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
United sources have confirmed that his No.10 shirt is being given to new £62.5million signing Matheus Cunha, but added that Rashford will remain a significant part of the club’s recent history and always be respected as one of their most successful academy graduates.
Garnacho, meanwhile, upset the United boss with his reaction to being benched for the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham in Bilbao in May. Napoli have an interest in Garnacho while Chelsea and Tottenham are believed to be two of three Premier League clubs considering a move for the Argentina winger.
Sancho was due to return to training on Monday after Chelsea paid a £5m penalty rather than turn his loan at Stamford Bridge into a permanent deal worth up to £25m. Juventus are interested in taking Sancho on loan but can afford less that half of his £275,000-a-week wages.
Antony had a successful loan spell at Real Betis in the second half of last season and the Spaniards would like to keep him. However, they will have to negotiate a new deal with United that could see the Brazil winger return to Spain on loan with an obligation to buy him for a fee of around £30m.
Malacia was also due back at United after PSV Eindhoven decided not to make his loan move permanent for £8.3m, and knows he is unlikely to figure in Amorim’s plans.
