If FC Barcelona is on the verge of preparing a genuine revolution in its team, Manchester United is on the same mission.
The Crisis Cabinet Met after Barça-Getafe
Laporta, Deco, and Flick had a long and detailed discussion after Barça-Getafe. The crisis cabinet agrees that the team lacks arguments when Lewandowski fails.
This was evident against Leganés. The top scorer and serious contender for the Golden Boot didn't have his day and the rest of the team suffered.
Lamine Yamal's last-minute absence only confirms the limited resources Hansi Flick has to do his job.
Meanwhile, the club keeps its stance of putting Frenkie De Jong and Ronald Araújo up for sale.
Frenkie and Araújo Consume 40 Million in Salary Mass
The former is the highest-paid player on the team. His salary is 33 million euros, as a result of the pandemic-related delays. The latter is at 7 million gross per year.
Together, they consume 40 million euros of the team's salary mass. This detail, combined with their poor performance due to injuries, prompts the club to place them on the market.
There's a technical issue with Flick and an economic one with Laporta that make their continuity at Barça unfeasible. However, neither has wanted to hear offers from outside the club.
The Marcus Rashford Bomb Explodes
While Barça seeks a solution to its problems, the Marcus Rashford bomb has exploded at Manchester United. The English international has serious issues with his new coach at Old Trafford.
Rashford, the great star of Manchester United, is experiencing a low point. He wasn't even drafted by Ruben Amorim for the local classic against Manchester City.
An evident sign that, for the Portuguese coach, his presence at United is completely dispensable.
Marcus Rashford has been one of the great stars of English soccer in recent years, but he hasn't connected with the new coach. The club is considering a move to place him far from Old Trafford. Preferably, in a continental team rather than a Premier League rival.
On Lamine Yamal's and Raphinha's level
Laporta has had a lightbulb moment. Flick is asking for a winger on Lamine Yamal's and Raphinha's level and Rashford fits that profile.
He averages a dozen goals in the Premier League, is fast, has a powerful one-on-one, is team-oriented in his play, and is also media-friendly, just as Laporta likes.
Rashford has been the flagship of Manchester United in recent years. Although it's also true that those recent years haven't exactly been the best in the history of the Reds.
Manchester United wants to cash in on Rashford and Barça is looking for a winger like him. The swap is underway.
Laporta would like to trade Rashford for Araújo and Frenkie De Jong while also making money.
We'll have to see to what extent United is interested in losing sight of its star. It's also uknown whether they'll agree to pay money in a swap where they exchange an international-level star for two others of their valuation.
Amorim Wants to Get Rid of Rashford
Amorim has already communicated to United that he doesn't count on Rashford and that, if an offer for him appears on the market, they should consider it.
Deco is in charge of negotiating a deal that excites Laporta. Rashford has a salary of 15 million in Manchester. The idea is to maintain his salary.
Barça would make room in its 40-million salary mass to accommodate a cost of 15.
This is the kind of deal Laporta is looking for.