Zirkzee nears Fiorentina loan exit as Rashford handed No 9 shirt at Man Utd

Joshua Zirkzee is closing in on a loan move to Fiorentina as Manchester United continue to reshape their squad under Michael Carrick, with the Dutch forward likely to depart on a loan-with-option-to-buy arrangement that would see United take a loss on the £36.5 million they paid for him two summers ago.

Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford following an impressive season at Bologna under Erik ten Hag but never replicated that form in Manchester. With Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo all joining in the past 12 months, he has slipped well down the pecking order. Fiorentina’s interest has been accelerated by Moise Kean’s expected departure to Como, leaving them short of a striker. According to The Athletic, a loan deal with an option to buy is close to being agreed, with Florence — where former United goalkeeper David de Gea is now based — the likely destination.

Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, has returned to Manchester after his loan spell at Barcelona ended without a permanent deal. The Catalans opted against signing the 28-year-old, leaving him to head back to Old Trafford, where Carrick — a former team-mate — has wasted little time in signalling his intentions. Rashford has been handed the No 9 shirt, a clear indication of the role Carrick envisions for him, and made his first appearance in more than 18 months when he came off the bench in the defeat at Hull. Rashford’s previous No 10 shirt was assigned to Cunha when he joined from Wolves last summer.

Carrick turned to Rashford at Hull despite having Sesko available, a decision that underlines the faith placed in the forward. Rashford scored 30 goals in the 2022/23 season and netted 14 times even in a squad role at Barcelona last term, suggesting there is still plenty to offer if he can rediscover consistent form.

At left-back, United’s search continues. Lewis Hall of Newcastle remains the most prominent name on their list, but the Magpies have made clear they have no intention of selling further this summer. Newcastle would demand an astronomical fee to even consider parting with Hall, who enjoyed his best season to date in 2024/25, and that price tag appears to be beyond United’s current financial reach. Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde has also been monitored, though his situation remains unclear. Luke Shaw, now in his 30s, started all 38 of United’s league games last season but his injury history has prompted the club to seek cover and long-term competition at the position.