Marcus Rashford's journey to Barcelona almost scuppered by OASIS ahead of transfer
Oasis nearly scuppered Marcus Rashford's masterplan as he attempted to travel to Barcelona and complete his hotly-anticipated transfer move. Rashford, 27, is leaving Manchester United on a season-long loan after he was made part of the Red Devils' five-man bomb squad.
The England international will join Barca on a temporary basis before a £26million option to buy becomes active next summer. Just before 9pm on Sunday, Rashford's private jet landed in Barcelona.
But the United wantaway and his representatives had hassle getting up in the sky. Rashford had planned to take a private jet from Manchester but ended up having to travel to East Midlands Airport.
That's because all of the slots at Manchester Airport's private terminal were full thanks to Oasis and their rabid fans, according to the Sun. The reunited rockers played their final homecoming gig at Heaton Park on Sunday.
While match-going Manchester City fan and legendary guitarist Noel Gallagher travelled by train, his City-supporting brother and lead singer Liam flew via private jet from his home in the south of France. Celebrities have also flown in from around the world to watch Oasis perform 16 years after the brothers' explosive split which contributed to a packed Manchester terminal.
A source said: "Marcus' travel plans were disrupted so it was all a bit stressful but he would have walked to Barcelona to sign for them. Noel and Liam can have a laugh that they accidentally put a spanner in the works."
Upon finally landing in Barcelona, Rashford was filmed getting into a car taking him to a hotel, where he'll sleep before having a medical on Monday. The 27-year-old didn't offer any words, but he gave a smile and a thumbs-up to journalists and supporters who were welcoming him.
Rashford identified Barca as his dream move after being told that he had no future under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. Last month, the forward was asked by Spanish YouTube channel XBuyer whether he wants to play with Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal in the future, and his response was telling.
"Yeah, sure. Everybody in the world wants to play with the best," Rashford replied. "So hopefully, we'll see."
Rashford added: "Spain is nice, it's not too far from home. If I'm training over a long period, my family can come for a few days, it's a nice location and good weather."
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
8 minutes ago
- Metro
Tim Howard says 'maverick' £62.5m star is a 'proper Manchester United player'
Tim Howard says he is excited about the 'great additions' made at Old Trafford this summer and believes Matheus Cunha has the 'bravado' to be a 'proper Manchester United player'. The Red Devils set out their stall early on in the transfer window by triggering Cunha's £62.5million release clause at Wolves, with the 26-year-old putting pen to paper on a five-year contract. Cunha enjoyed an excellent season at Molineux last season, racking up 15 goals and six assists in the Premier League, and there are hopes the Brazilian can help transform Ruben Amorim's misfiring attack. United followed this up by landing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford in a deal worth around £71m and both players have joined up with their new team-mates on the club's pre-season tour of the United States. However, the duo are yet to work their way up to full match fitness and were not ready to make their debuts as United preserved their 100 per cent record in the Premier League Summer Series. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. In their absence, Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and Ethan Williams all got on the scoresheet as United ran out comprehensive 4-1 victors over Bournemouth at Chicago's iconic Soldier Field. Speaking ahead of Thursday's one-sided friendly, former United and USA goalkeeper Howard said he had been 'encouraged' by what he had seen after watching Amorim's men training in the Windy City. 'I don't know if it's the newness of a new season or additions and subtractions, but this team, this squad, looks energised, they look lively and they look committed,' Howard told United's official website. 'It's a small sample size, but I'm encouraged for what I think United can do this season.' Howard has been impressed by the signings made at the Theatre of Dreams this summer and is especially looking forward to seeing how 'maverick' Cunha performs in United colours. 'Great additions,' the 2004 FA Cup winner said of United's transfer business. 'I think about Cunha, as an example. I was at United for three years, I was a youngster, and what I learned there is that you can only play for United if you have pizzazz and personality. 'There is a bravado that comes along with Cunha and I just think he's a proper United player. 'He's a bit of a maverick and I think you need that to succeed at United so I am excited for him. 'It used to be that every team had one [a maverick], but they are few and far between now which I think makes him stand out and gets me excited about him.' More Trending Having successfully captured Cunha and Mbeumo, United's hierarchy have turned their attentions to signing an out-and-out centre-forward capable of scoring the goals Amorim's side so badly lacked last term. Viktor Gyokeres had been identified as United's primary target on the back of another exceptional season with Sporting, in which he scored 54 goals in 52 games to help steer his side win a domestic double. But OId Trafford bosses were forced to concede defeat as Arsenal agreed a deal for the prolific Swede and only two names remain on the club's transfer shortlist: RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. RB Leipzig are said to be demanding a fee of around £70m for Sesko, while Watkins, the far cheaper option, is valued at between £40m-£45m at Villa Park. Who would be the better signing for United? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Ruben Amorim responds to Benjamin Sesko Man Utd transfer speculation MORE: Viktor Gyokeres agent unhappy with transfer 'mess' involving Manchester United and Arsenal MORE: Chelsea sent message by Manchester United over Alejandro Garnacho transfer
The Sun
9 minutes ago
- The Sun
New Man Utd star Diego Leon gets brutally trolled by Manuel Ugarte after first ‘assist' for new club
MANUEL UGARTE took aim at Manchester United new boy Diego Leon after he suffered an awkward mishap while providing his first assist. Leon, 18, completed an Old Trafford transfer earlier in the summer for £3.3million - possibly rising to £7m - from Cerro Porteno. 6 6 6 6 6 The Paraguayan left-back comes highly rated and has already drawn praise from both manager Ruben Amorim and his team-mates. However, fellow South American Ugarte took a cheekier approach to hyping up his new colleague after he landed his first assist in United colours in an unusual manner. The teen had been one of nine changes made by Amorim in the 70th minute of Thursday morning's Premier League Summer Series clash against Bournemouth, won 4-1 by the Red Devils. And just moments after coming on, Leon had received the ball and was positive in driving towards the Cherries' defence. Following a heavy touch from the wing, Leon retrieved the ball and dribbled towards goal. But just as he was about to arrive at the edge of the penalty area, he tripped over and fell flat on his face. Luckily for Leon, the overlapping Ethan Williams was on hand to pick up the ball before it could be cleared and cut inside to score into the bottom corner with a devastating right-foot finish to the near post. Leon's gaffe was forgotten in the moment as United stars rushed to celebrate the goal of 19-year-old Williams. Ugarte, also a 70th-minute sub, expressed his congratulations to Leon for his "first assist" on social media after the game by sharing footage of the goal. However, the 24-year-old had his sights set on trolling his team-mate as the footage of the goal was edited over with a clip from the movie American Sniper. In the edited clip shared to the Uruguayan's Instagram story, Bradley Cooper 's character - Chris Kyle - can be seen preparing his sniper rifle while he aims at a target. The video then switches back to Leon as he dribbles towards goal before a shot is fired from the sniper and Leon goes tumbling over. Fans loved the dig on social media, with one fan saying: "Love the banter between them." A second said: "Uruguayan trolling a Paraguayan after a 4-1 win is all I wanted to see. Ugarte trolling Leon is the best thing you will see all week long." Another said: "VIBES FC MIGHT BE BACK!" A fourth added: "Brutal." Following United's opening pre-season game against Leeds, Amorim said of Leon: "We have to understand that the kid came from Paraguay and it's the first week, the second week in Manchester United. "He did really well, he's learning things, he's powerful. He's going to be a very good player." A pre-season assist, even in a rather unorthodox manner, is sure to do his confidence the world of good. The same could be said for Rasmus Hojlund, who opened the scoring against Bournemouth and was instrumental on the third by occupying defenders before Amad Diallo struck home. However, Amorim refused to guarantee the future of the Danish ace amid talk United are lining up a transfer for Benjamin Sesko. 6
Daily Mail
9 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Ruben Amorim delivers update on Rasmus Hojlund's Man United future as they step up pursuit of £70m Benjamin Sesko
Ruben Amorim admits he doesn't know what the future holds for Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford after Manchester United made the first move towards signing Benjamin Sesko. Hojlund scored United's first goal in the 4-1 win over Bournemouth in Chicago and laid claim to another on the day that it emerged that RB Leipzig star Sesko is the club's No.1 striker target. It has left the Dane's situation at Old Trafford in some doubt, two years after he joined United from Atalanta for £72million, and Amorim was unable to offer any guarantees despite being pleased with Hojlund's contribution. 'I am really happy with Rasmus,' said the United boss. 'I don't know what is going to happen until the end of the market. The important thing is that Rasmus is scoring goals. He's connecting really well with the team. He's improving. 'Again, I don't know what is going to happen until the market is closed. I'm really happy with the players that we had last season. We looked like a different team today. Let's continue with that.' Goals from Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo and Ethan Williams put United in command before a late own-goal by Matthijs de Ligt gave Bournemouth some consolation. Hojlund claimed that he got a touch to Diallo's effort, but it was awarded to the Ivorian. It was slick, impressive performance from United following Saturday's 2-1 win over West Ham in New Jersey, and Amorim is encouraged by what he has seen so far. 'I think it was a good game,' he added. 'We played with intensity. We were aggressive and that is something that we need to improve on from last season. 'I think we had better possessions compared to the last game, so they are listening. Of course, scoring first in the beginning of the game can change the confidence of the team. 'We changed some positions and you feel that they know what to do in different positions. It was a good test. But the feeling with the same players, even being a pre-season game, if you look at the same players now playing, it looks like a different team and that is a good sign. 'More than the results, it's the way they are playing. I think it's really important. They are playing better also because they are connecting better with each other. Not just on the pitch, but off the pitch. 'I think they are stronger, they are faster. In this moment, of course, it's a pre-season. But you can see the intensity is completely different. I can see the data from the minutes are completely different. So we are improving. But again, it's a pre-season game. The pressure is going to be so much different during the season.' Matheus Cunha missed the game with what was described as fatigue and Amorim gave a similar reason for replacing Harry Maguire with De Ligt at half-time. 'He (Maguire) had an issue during training in the holidays,' explained Amorim. 'He's a little bit late, so we have to be careful with him. It's just a little bit of fatigue with the training. We are trying to control everything and saving all the players to give the exact minutes that they need.'
