Bradley Barcola: Man United at risk for PSG star after latest twist

Manchester United are increasingly at risk of losing Paris Saint-German forward Bradley Barcola to a Premier League rival after the latest twist in the tale at Old Trafford, according to an explosive new report.

Wingers are back on the menu

INEOS’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim last week has thrown Old Trafford into a state of chaos – with Michael Carrick appointed as a caretaker to bring a sense of calm until the end of the season.

A long-term successor for Amorim will then be sourced over the summer, when the pool of candidates will grow as contracts expire and the World Cup finishes in North America.

However, the target United select to be their new commander-in-chief will be expected to implement a style of play more closely aligned with the club’s traditions, predicated on attacking football and flying wingers.

This will mean a return to either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, after 14 months of trial and error – mainly error- from Amorim to to unsuccessfully mould the Red Devils in the image of his beloved 3-4-2-1.

As a result of INEOS’s steadfast support of the Portuguese coach, there are no longer any natural left-wingers in the squad, with three – Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho – having departed the club last summer after being designated part of the infamous ‘bomb squad‘.

This glaring hole on the left side of the pitch means a new winger is an urgent priority, regardless of who the manager is next season – and explains why Barcola drifting out of United’s grasp is such a blow.

United falling behind in the race

The PSG star is a versatile attacker, capable of playing on the wing or through the middle. Standing 6’0, with great mobility and outstanding technique, the France international is quickly emerging as one of Europe’s most underrated forward. And, having just turned 23 this season, he is yet to hit his prime.

Barcola returned 21 goals and 21 assists last season as he helped propel PSG to an historic treble, even setting up 19-year-old Senny Mayulu in the Champions League final as Luis Enrique’s side demolished Inter Milan 5-0.

But the Frenchman, who came through Lyon’s esteemed academy, has not hit the same heights this season, with a growing sense PSG would be open to his sale this summer. This has put a number of Europe’s biggest clubs, including United, on red alert over a potential swoop.

Bradley Barcola Stats: 2025/26 Season

The Red Devils are understood to consider Barcola a “priority” target, with a plot to include Rashford – a long-term target for PSG – as a makeweight in negotiations with the Ligue 1 giant.

However, Rashford is intent on remaining with Barcelona after the Blaugrana informed him of their hope to keep him beyond this season.

The Liga champions met with United to discuss a potential transfer, but informed their English counterparts they were unwilling to pay the £26 million buy option in the deal. Instead, their plan is to renegotiate a cheaper fee or, alternatively, agree to another loan – with United having no recourse as Rashford considers Camp Nou a “dream” move.

Caught Offside contends this has effectively ended any hopes of utilising Rashford to help their pursuit of Barcola, while another report reveals United have “fallen behind” in a red-hot race for the French forward.

“Rashford’s refusal to join PSG means that Man Utd are very unlikely to get a deal done for Barcola, especially with some of their major Premier League rivals already making moves for the winger,” TEAMtalkreport. 

“Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are also tracking the 23-year-old France international winger, who has scored five goals and given four assists in 24 appearances for PSG so far this season. Sources have told us that while PSG do not want to sell Barcola, who is under contract until the summer of 2028, intermediaries are holding talks.”

United will have to pull a rabbit out of their hat to position themselves back at the front of the queue for the French magician – or risk him coming back to haunt them at a rival next season.

Featured image Stuart Franklin via Getty Images

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