Mourinho steps in to SAVE Rashford’s Barcelona dream

Marcus Rashford’s hopes of leaving Manchester United during the January transfer window could be saved by former Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho, who is now in charge of Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig, could hold the key to Rashford’s dream of joining Barcelona – despite the Portuguese being a former public enemy No.1 at Camp Nou during his stint as Real Madrid’s head coach.

Barca have taken an interest in the England international winger this month having learned that he is being frozen out by new Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim. Rashford has not appeared for Man Utd for over a month and has gone public on his willingness to try a “new challenge”.

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A deal with the Camp Nou side will only be made if Ansu Fati leaves the club, but this has hit a major stumbling block. After the winger spoke to Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick, he has been persuaded that he still has a chance to make it with Barca and is not willing to accept a January transfer.

Barcelona are working to create €9 million of salary space – half of Rashford’s Man Utd deal – and offloading Fati is the easiest way to do this.

Mourinho and Fenerbahce have stepped in, however, to insist that Ansu, who had an unsuccessful loan spell with Brighton in the Premier League last season, joins them this month, according to AS.

The former Real Madrid boss is already working to make space in the squad for the Spain international. Negotiations with former Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin have started to terminate his contract, with Fenerbahce unhappy with his performances.

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Other possibilities for Barca and Rashford

Should Mourinho fail to take Ansu to Fenerbahce, Mundo Deportivo suggests that Barcelona could still make room for Rashford by offloading Andreas Christensen.

Alternatively, Rashford may have to start studying other options. Borussia Dortmund remain interested in him while another former Man Utd boss in the form of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is targeting him at Besiktas.