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Football Club Barcelona and Manchester United are going to clash in the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Fans of both sides are anticipating for the epic battle between arguably the world's best teams.
Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjær had been appointed as the permanent manager after a successful spell as their temporary boss. His 73.7% win record as the manager makes him look promising for the future of the Red Devils.
A new boss and a new season ahead would motivate the side to make some innovative changes for impacting the upcoming years. As of this writing, here are three players from the Barca side might possibly end up at Manchester United.
Also see : Copa America Standings, Copa America Schedule
#3 Malcolm
Cutting to the chase, Malcolm isn't doing anything of high significance for Barcelona at the moment. The lack of opportunities and playtime given by the Spanish side towards the Brazilian winger didn't help too. Since making a £46m switch from Bordeaux to Barcelona, the young Brazilian has only made 8 appearances in all competitions.
Journalist Duncan Castles of the Daily Star has a view that the 22-year-old had been purchased just to improve his value in order to sell him for a bigger price. He says,
“It’s a different kind of stockpiling of players, but they’re doing that Manchester City, Chelsea thing of buying players with the view of having them as part of their club for a season or a couple of seasons can increase their value and allow them to make profits from the transfer market that will subsidize the purchase of their superstar names they need to keep themselves at the top of the Spanish league and in the Champions League.”
If this is the case with Malcolm, then they might try to use him during the summer transfer window to reap the benefits. Manchester United was interested in signing him before he ended up at Camp Nou. A player like Malcolm would be useful in their setup.
Recently, the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claims that Malcolm could be used by Barcelona as a bargaining chip for Rashford. Thus, this leads to more speculation of him ending up in a Manchester United jersey.
#2 Phillipe Coutinho
Malcolm alone wouldn't be a sufficient bargaining chip if the Catalan giants want Rashford. Why would Manchester United let go of their most promising player this season anyways? They would be a bit more demanding as Malcolm isn't exactly a very exceptional player.
However, another player along with Malcolm would make a world of difference. That would be none other than his fellow Brazilian teammate, Philippe Coutinho. Mundo Deportivo claims that it would be either Malcolm or Coutinho who would be used as a bargaining chip.
Thus, if the Barca side really want Rashford, given the fact that Suarez has entered the twilight of his career, they might consider sacrificing either player for a solid striker. Coutinho had an exceptional stint with Liverpool. Thus, the Red Devils might want him in their ranks.
Although he didn't fare well with Barcelona, it would be safe to believe that Coutinho can repeat his magic that he produced in England. It was rumored earlier that Coutinho had actually been in contact with a few Manchester United players in discussion of a move to Old Trafford.
Coutinho's interests to play for the Red Devils and his experience at Liverpool might help him end up at Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
#1 Ivan Rakitic
Ivan Rakitic may not last long at Barcelona due to the Catalan giants signing many midfielders. Frenkie de Jong and other such signings make his exit a possibility. Though he is experienced, the club has been observed to be focusing much more on the future.
Inter is a side which possibly would like to sign him, adding to their list of Croatian footballers in hand. However, the Red Devils would also be interested in the Croatian. Michael Carrick's retirement last summer makes it more likely for Man Utd to consider Rakitic as he is an ideal replacement for the veteran midfielder.
Also, former United manager José Mourinho has been giving lots of praises for Rakitic lately. Although he does not have the authority as he did before, it is safe to assume that Mourinho's views might still provide an influence towards those at Old Trafford.
As a World Cup runner-up with plenty of experience at one of the world's best clubs, Rakitic would find little to no problems in adjusting should he move to Manchester United during the summer transfer window. However, a deal would not be easy to obtained as word has it that both Inter and Paris Saint-Germain are also currently scouting him.
