Ten Hag successor makes Raphinha demand

Xavi has told Manchester United that if he replaces Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, he wants to sign Raphinha from Barcelona in a move that spells trouble for Marcus Rashford.

The Brazil international left winger lit up Barca’s 4-1 success over Bayern Munich on Wednesday as he grabbed a spectacular hat-trick that propels the Catalans towards the knockout stages, yet his future at Camp Nou is far from secured.

Barcelona are persistently linked with a transfer for Athletic Club’s Nico Williams next summer, with the Spain winger boasting a release fee of €58 million.

In turn, this will leave Raphinha surplus to requirements with the Blaugrana, who are looking to receive around €100m for the former Leeds player.

Xavi has requested that the 27-year-old be signed should he take command at Man Utd, Fichajes reports, with the former Barca coach having “singled out the winger as a key piece to boost the Premier League team’s attack”.

In turn, this spells trouble for Rashford, who has shown flashes of what he is capable of this season but is a player whose future has been speculated upon for months.

PSG have regularly been linked with the winger, yet Bradley Barcola appears to have settled into the wide role at Parc des Princes, leaving it unclear where Rashford could leave to.

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Raphinha at Man Utd

According to data analytics experts SciSports, Raphinha would be a minor downgrade on Rashford, who boasts a higher SciSkill, an analytical measure of a player’s quality based on in-game statistics, than the South American.

There is also the possibility, however, that the Barcelona winger could feature on the right wing or even as an attacking midfielder. Indeed, Xavi more commonly used him in these positions during his time with Barca.

Indeed, United are seen as a good destination for the winger by SciSports, whose Career Advice Tool gives the Red Devils a Club Fit of 72.

Raphinha would find playing time, as well as a formation and style to suit him at Old Trafford, with the only drawback being a lack of potential development.

Would Man Utd pay €100m for him? It’s doubtful. Constrained by Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), they will have to think carefully about future additions, and at 27 there is unlikely to be the possibility of recouping much of the fee when he ultimately moves on.

Indeed, Raphinha has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of just €38.6m, meaning that if Xavi is to get his wish at Man Utd, the club will have to be very confident in the coach’s judgement.