Five Manchester United Players, Including Rashford, Given Permission to Seek New Clubs

Manchester United has allowed Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia to start pre-season training later than the rest of the first-team squad. Sources, speaking anonymously to The Athletic, confirmed this decision. The players are facing uncertain futures at Old Trafford and will return in late July.

Mathus Cunha will wear Rashford's No 10 shirt in the upcoming season after his £62.5 million ($85.3m) transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rashford, Antony, and Malacia were on loan at Aston Villa, Real Betis, and PSV Eindhoven respectively in the last season as they were not part of head coach Ruben Amorim's plans.

Sancho was loaned to Chelsea last summer before Amorim took charge. However, Chelsea opted not to buy the 25-year-old for £25 million due to disagreements over personal terms, resulting in a £5 million penalty fee. Garnacho, who expressed frustrations after the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, was instructed by Amorim to seek a new club. Chelsea has a longstanding interest in Garnacho.

During their absence, Carrington's medical and rehabilitation facilities will be available to all five players if needed, with United providing remote support. United has faced challenges in selling their surplus players this summer, despite the need to raise funds for further squad investment beyond Cunha and their priority target, Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo.

United's pre-season kicks off with a friendly against Leeds United in Stockholm on July 20, followed by participation in the Premier League Summer Series in the United States.