Life as a homegrown, academy talent is never straightforward, not least at a club like Manchester United, with those who rise up into the first team often met with lofty expectations and intense scrutiny.
Early goodwill shown toward a young prospect from supporters can often be replaced by negativity, with the modern game particularly obsessed with looking further afield for new talents, rather than promoting from within.
A current example could well be Kobbie Mainoo, with the 19-year-old having enjoyed a stunning 2023/24 campaign which resulted in a call-up to England’s Euro 2024 squad. Fast forward less than a year, however, and the injury-hit teenager has become something of a forgotten man, with talk having been rife in January regarding a swift departure.
Thankfully, there have reportedly been positive talks over a new contract for the midfield maestro, with it looking as if his long-term future is set to remain at Old Trafford.
Unlike Mainoo, however, not every member of Ruben Amorim’s squad will still be at the club next term, with the Red Devils and INEOS perhaps set to face their own Trent Alexander-Arnold scenario this summer.
Man Utd's notable homegrown exits
Perhaps the worst-kept secret in football in recent months had been Alexander-Arnold’s desire to depart for Real Madrid, with the 26-year-old’s future having been the centre of heated debate in Liverpool, amid his expiring contract.
As was widely reported on Tuesday, it looks as if that long-awaited switch is finally coming close to completion, with the Englishman – who had been a product of the club’s academy – set to end his Anfield affiliation in order to make the move to Spain this summer.
Those of a United persuasion will certainly remember losing one of their own to Madrid in the not-too-distant past, with Class of 92 star David Beckham departing on a £25m deal in 2003, following a dispute with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Subsequent years also saw Beckham followed out the door by former youth team colleagues, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt, with the pair joining Everton and Newcastle United, respectively, amid the search for increased game time.
As those cases epitomised, not every graduate can reach the status of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville as a one-club man, with more recent times having also seen a raft of homegrown, academy sales at Old Trafford.
Indeed, just last summer, the new INEOS regime cashed in on Scott McTominay, with the midfielder joining Napoli on a £25m deal. Prior to that, Anthony Elanga had made the move to Nottingham Forest for £15m in 2023, while James Garner moved to Goodison for £9m in 2022.
Those deals, it must be said, appeared to be club-led amid the current PSR demands, with few having perhaps been as high profile as that of Alexander-Arnold’s impending switch – until now, that is.
Man Utd's own Alexander-Arnold situation
Much to the frustration of those on Merseyside, the playmaking full-back appears intent on severing ties with his boyhood club in search of a fresh adventure abroad, with the decision to depart on a free transfer set to be a particularly contentious one.
As far as United are concerned, the sale of Marcus Rashford this summer would prove far less controversial, considering his exile from Amorim’s ranks, although it would be a similar situation with regard to the end of his lengthy stay in Manchester.
The 27-year-old – who is currently on loan at Aston Villa – could be in line for a permanent switch to his temporary home, with the Midlands side holding a £40m option to buy at the end of the season.
Non-penalty goals
0.31
Top 23%
Assists
0.23
Top 33%
Shot-creating actions
3.51
Top 44%
Pass completion
72.7%
Bottom 38%
Progressive carries
2.36
Bottom 25%
Progressive passes
2.52
Bottom 28%
Successful take-ons
1.30
Bottom 45%
Tackles
0.99
Bottom 23%
Aerial duels won
0.46
Bottom 44%
Like Alexander-Arnold, however, Rashford appears to have his eyes set further afield, with reports rife in January that the forward was intent on sealing a dream move to Barcelona, having outlined his desire for a “new challenge” back in December.
There is then a very real prospect that the £300k-per-week United man could be lining up against his England colleague in LaLiga next term, should he get his wish, with reports this month again linking the Camp Nou giants with a summer swoop.
Again, unlike Alexander-Arnold, the manner and timing of Rashford’s exit would not be controversial, but like his compatriot, he has certainly been a major talking point at United in recent years.
Much like the debate over the Liverpool man’s future potentially being in midfield, rather than at right-back, there have long been question marks over Rashford’s role as a striker or a left-winger.
In any case, an exit has become almost inevitable in truth, not least since he was left out of the Manchester Derby back in December.
That appeared to be the latest sign of his woes, having also been punished by former boss Erik ten Hag last season, following a trip to Belfast ahead of the FA Cup clash with Newport County. As journalist Liam Canning put it, he had become a “major major problem”.
After the highs of scoring 30 goals in 2022/23, just 15 goals have followed in the last 18 months or so, with the decision to move him on to Villa Park marking the beginning of a sad end to his Red Devils association.
When a likely move does occur this summer, Rashford will be able to look back on five major trophies, and 138 goals for the club in all competitions. ‘Trent’, meanwhile, will have chalked up well over 80 assists and collected his own gamut of silverware.
For differing reasons, these two local heroes will be moving on this summer, with both players perhaps feeling a fresh start is needed. For both men, this is not the way most thought it would end.
As they say, ‘you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain’…
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