Manchester United has explained Marcus Rashford’s absence from the FA Cup match against Newport County on Sunday afternoon.

Rashford missed United’s training session on Friday due to illness, according to coach Erik ten Hag. However, the forward was reportedly seen in a Belfast nightclub this week. The England international was left out of the FA Cup team for the trip to Newport, and United explained why in a statement.

WHAT UTD SAID

From the Old Trafford the statement released to the media on Sunday explained: “Marcus Rashford not well enough to be in the squad for Newport following illness; he has stayed at Carrington to train as he recovers.”

Rashford might face disciplinary action as a result of his midweek excursion to Belfast, where he was reportedly forced to postpone his return to Manchester due to illness. This is not Rashford’s first transgression this season, as Ten Hag chastised him for his “unacceptable” behavior after going out partying following his team’s defeat to Manchester City.

Despite Rashford’s absence, United are optimistic of defeating the League Two team in the FA Cup fourth round. After another week of making headlines for the wrong reasons, the attacker will be hoping to regain Ten Hag’s favor soon.

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How Man Utd’s squad would be different with a dream January transfer window

How a perfect January transfer window could transform Man Utd’s squad
Manchester United could see a big improvement in their squad if they manage to pull off their ideal January transfer window.

United have struggled this season due to a number of injuries and poor performances from some of their key players.

The club failed to progress from the Champions League group stage, winning only one game and finishing last in Group A, behind Galatasaray, FC Copenhagen and Bayern Munich.

Ten Hag’s team also exited the Carabao Cup at the hands of Newcastle in the last 16, while their form in the Premier League has been disappointing. In fact, United suffered 13 defeats in all competitions from the start of the season until Christmas, the worst record for the club in that period since the 1930/31 season.

United are not expected to be very active in the January transfer window, as the Premier League is still approving Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent stake in the club, but there are a few players they have been linked with that could boost their chances.

Here is a list of potential arrivals that would make up a dream transfer window. Of course, some of these deals are more realistic than others.

Defence

United are likely to sign at least one new centre-back, as Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire’s futures are unclear and Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are both out of contract next summer.

One of the players United have been strongly linked with is Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo. United may have an edge over their Premier League rivals Tottenham, who are also interested in the French international, as Nice is part of Ratcliffe’s portfolio of football clubs.

Another option for United is Bayer Leverkusen’s defensive duo Jeremie Frimpong and Edmond Tapsoba, who were both reported to be on United’s radar in the summer by the Manchester Evening News.

However, they would face stiff competition from United’s current defenders, and it is doubtful that either of them would leave Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title challenge mid-season.

Midfield

The emergence of Kobbie Mainoo has reduced the urgency to sign another midfielder, but United have been linked with 22-year-old Belgian Amadou Onana ahead of January.

Onana impressed in his first season in English football after a £30million move from Lille, and he has reportedly attracted the attention of the Premier League’s top clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal and United.

However, such a move is unlikely to happen mid-season, as Everton are fighting to avoid relegation after a 10-point penalty for financial violations.

Forwards

United’s main problem in the Premier League this season has been scoring goals, and Ten Hag will be eager to bring in another striker to ease the burden on 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund.

According to reports in Germany, United are thinking about making a move for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window, after the Netherlands Under-21 international scored seven goals in 17 Bundesliga games.

Zirkzee moved to Bologna from Bayern Munich in August 2022, but the Bundesliga giants reportedly have a buyback clause worth €22million (£19million).

United were also linked with Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy, who has netted 17 goals in the Bundesliga this season, but it seems that they have lost interest in the Guinea international.

Ten Hag’s team are also said to be interested in Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, but both of those transfers would be very expensive and United are unlikely to pay.