What now for Marcus Rashford? Wantaway Man Utd star's possible destinations ranked - with move to follow Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi and shock Premier League switch among his options

Now, in terms of needing a proven scorer and having the requisite cash needed to complete a deal, Manchester City should theoretically be among the top teams in with a chance of landing Rashford. There is one rather major problem however - his continued loyalty to United even after he leaves.

In the remarkable interview with Henry Winter in which he declared his want to leave, Rashford was asked if he would still be 'a red' even after he departs. "Yes! 100%, 100%," was his rapid reply.

Pep Guardiola is said to be a huge admirer of Rashford too, but any talk of a crosstown switch seems fantastical. United should not even pick up the phone if City call, and Rashford should not consider burning all bridges with his boyhood club.

From a financial and superstar standpoint, Real Madrid and Rashford sound like a natural match. As with City though, there's simply way, way too much turmoil on either side that would prevent this from happening anytime soon.

Los Blancos are already struggling to fit three of world football's best attacking players - Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham - into the same lineup without destroying their Champions League-winning chemistry, with two of those stars fighting for Rashford's desired space in the left-hand channel.

If Rashford was coming off one of his more stellar seasons, then maybe the Madrid press would talk themselves into thinking the club should enter the sweepstakes. This isn't the reality, mind.

Fanciful? Very much so. Impossible? Not at all? Improbable? Yeah, obviously. Rashford's infamous excursions in the United States will add fuel to any fire about crossing the Atlantic and laying down roots in Major League Soccer.

That may happen one day, but not in the next few years. Rashford was forthright that he only sees his career as half done and that his best is still to come. That won't happen outside of Europe.

When Rashford was tipped to leave United in 2022, Newcastle seemed an intriguing landing spot. The Magpies had just been taken over by PIF and were happy to splash out in hope of improving both team and club profile.

Two-and-a-half years on, it would take some extreme squad rebuilding at St James' Park for him to come into focus again. Newcastle only narrowly kept themselves out of PSR trouble over the summer and have tied down Anthony Gordon - another player in Rashford's preferred position - to a new contract after previously floating the idea of selling him to Liverpool.

Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes could leave to contending clubs which would open up the room needed to make an acceptable bid for Rashford. You'd imagine Newcastle would go after a different profile of attacker, however.

Juventus are long past their heyday as Italy's all-conquering force, one who were handpicked by Cristiano Ronaldo at the height of his greatness to continue his European odyssey with. The contemporary Old Lady operate on a far more modest budget.

Thiago Motta is beginning to click an attack revolving around Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz into gear, though if they could bring some extra firepower on board, that'd be most welcome - they were heavily linked with former United team-mate Mason Greenwood over the summer, remember.

Once more, this feels like a fit for a previous era. Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham would absolutely have extracted the most out of a younger Rashford. Those ships have now sailed.

Even though Ange Postecoglou does need a senior forward capable of succeeding Son Heung-min as the carrier of Spurs' attack, finances and Rashford's seeming lack of appetite to work as hard as possible for the team should stop this move in its tracks - Daniel Levy isn't forking out for a new highest-earner when they wouldn't even be guaranteed to start.

Catalan social media went into overdrive on Tuesday when Rashford left a fire emoji in the comment section of Lamine Yamal's latest Instagram post. In 2024, that is essentially like asking him if he wants to go and grab a bite to eat.

Barcelona don't have a top-quality runner in their stacked attack and could even have a vacancy at left wing if they want to move Raphinha back into a central role, while Robert Lewandowski is hardly getting any younger. On paper, Rashford to Barca shouldn't be scoffed at, but the club's financial crisis is simply too prevalent to ignore - no amount of lever-pulling could create the salary space needed to sign him.

The Saudi recruitment drive has dried up since their initial transfer market adventures of 2022 and 2023. Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne continue to be touted as the Pro League's next major targets, with their expiring contracts making for opportune timing.

Stumping up a transfer fee in order to sign United poster-boy Rashford would also be a statement of intent. Here is a player who believes his prime years are ahead of him, rather than someone at the twilight of their career. Whether the 27-year-old would be content on moving to the Middle East is another question.

You only need to look at Jadon Sancho to realise that maybe the problem with United isn't the players, but the environment they're stuck in. The winger has returned to form of old since making the move down to Stamford Bridge, leaving behind his days of despair at Old Trafford.

Chelsea aren't afraid to spend big and have the working example of getting a good deal for a United castaway. They also have a long list of attackers already struggling for game time and are prioritising younger plays too, though.

When Bayern signed Harry Kane from Tottenham in 2023, they were praised for not only signing a world-class striker, but snatching a superstar away from the Premier League.

Senior figures at the Allianz Arena have claimed they don't want to make a habit of these kinds of deals, though they will turn to them if they feel necessary and justifiable. Rashford might fall into that bracket.

The last remaining profile Bayern need in their attack is a rapid runner in behind. They already boast a complete striker in Kane, a tricky playmaker in Jamal Musiala and a dribbler in Michael Olise. The Bavarians could rationalise Rashford being the final piece of that puzzle.

Before Rashford signed his latest contract with United, he is said to have held talks with PSG. The French giants' interest in the forward dates back several years and their man is now finally available.

Is he 'their man' anymore, however? Since the exits of Neymar and Lionel Messi, PSG have made concerted efforts on signing young - and where possible, homegrown - players to build a more organic squad. The glitz-and-glamour days are over.

Could Rashford be an exception to that? Could PSG make one last swing at a player they've loved from afar? Don't rule it out just yet.

There are so many obstacles standing between Rashford and signing for a team after United. Somehow, we've wound up in a universe where Arsenal are arguably the team most in with a chance of acquiring him.

They tick all the boxes. The Gunners have the money to commit to a deal, the promise of a genuine 'new challenge' and fresh start, as well as a fine recent history of improving the fortunes of distressed assets. Mikel Arteta has bought the dip on several players and Arsenal have, for the most part, become all the better for it.

Little over a year ago, Bukayo Saka and Rashford were seen as England's starting wide forwards for the next few years, the exciting wingers of this new golden generation. Stick on a compilation of the latter's highlights and you can easily be swayed into believing in him again.