Rashford eager to confirm Utd transfer | Guehi linked to Liverpool as Quansah exit looms | Make or break for 'Bazball' ahead of India test?
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Welcome to Back Pages, bringing you everything you need to know about the biggest sports stories, making the headlines in the morning's newspapers. I'm Dave Fulton and joining me are Jonathan Liu from The Guardian and journalist and broadcaster Henry Winter. Welcome to you both.

We are going to start in the back of the mirror and we're going to focus on Marcus Rashford, Henry. A man you've spoken to many times, of course, and have been all over this kind of Marcus Rashford saga from start to finish. Says here that he doesn't want to go to the US and he's pretty keen on a move and he wants to stay here to finalise it.

Yeah, and I'm sure that echoes Ruben Amaran's thinking as well. I'd be amazed if he went on the pre-season tour. He's not in Amaran's plans. He hasn't been for about five or six months. So it's now just a question of Marcus Rashford working out where he can go. He's been out working on his fitness in Marbella, conveniently in Spain, which I'm sure is where he would really like to move to.

But if you look at some of the stories coming out of Barcelona today, they're very much interested in Nico Williams. They've obviously got Rafinha, who's been outstanding for them on the left. So I think their financial and footballing issues in the way of Marcus Rashford actually getting his desire, which is to go to Barcelona.

to Barcelona. I think at some point he's going to have to address the issue of his wages and take a cut if he is to get his dream move somewhere, because he has to move, he has to play. He has no future at Manchester United, and he's probably slightly in Thomas Tuchel's thinking, but he needs to play if he's going to get anywhere near that World Cup squad. Jonathan, did Rashford's stock rise with his little stint at Aston Villa?

Yeah, I think he did. I actually think he did better than a lot of people expected him to. He contributed with goals and assists. He looked busy. He could have fitted into Unai Emery's plans and his system. But, you know, that doesn't appear to be a long-term option for him. And this is the whole... This is the conundrum, really. You know, now that he has essentially been frozen out by Amerim, I don't see too many elite clubs or even sort of, you know...

fringes of the elite clubs where he readily fits in that have a pressing need for a guy of very high wages, as Henry said, whose game hasn't really developed since he was about 20. And it's not entirely his fault. The chaos at Manchester United over the last decade has, I think, really kind of stunted his development as a footballer to the extent where

he almost kind of looks like a forward who is kind of out of step with the prevailing trends. You look at teams like PSG, you look at Barcelona under Hansi Flick and the energy, the lightning intensity with which they play, not just on the ball, but out of possession too. And I think if he's really serious about rebooting his career, he needs to find a club and a coach that is going to develop those areas of his game that are going to future-proof

his game for the next five years because and I think that might well mean taking a bit of a step down and a bit of a swallow of pride to a club that may not have initially been you know in his bracket of favoured destinations

OK, just at the back of the sun, Henry, we're going to continue with this Marcus Rashford theme, but throw into the mix Garnaccio, Anthony and Sancho. The Sun saying that they are grounded here, but that Ruben Amorim is set to not take these guys on the US tour. Their days all numbered at Manchester United, do you feel?

Yeah, and there has been for a while. I mean, particularly for reasons of wages and also tactically. I mean, the way that Ruben Amarin plays, 3-4-2-1, he doesn't play with flying wingers in the Manchester United mould. It's not 4-4-2, it's not 4-3-3. So I think the wingers are absolutely being moved on. You look at the type of player that he's been targeting, Mateus Kunio, who's come in, he's a number 10 player.

So, yeah, I think their days are numbered. But it's going to be quite a sort of lively five-a-side session at Carrington when the team are touring America. Absolutely. Jonathan, just one thing on the players' wages, because Henry made the point about a player reducing... No-one likes their wages going down, but the wages are still pretty decent, let's be honest. And if you need to take a pay cut, I mean...

Do footballers see it like that? I mean, I suppose everyone's different, but it seems like, you know, if you've got to make the move, you've got to cut your wages. Yeah, I mean, there are two elements to this. And obviously, you know, the financial aspect is important because it's a short career and they are, you know, there are things like taxes and agent fees and all those kind of associated expenditures. And they are actually trying to set themselves up

for the rest of their career in this very short window. But there is, I think, there is also a kind of, there's a status element to it. I mean, within a dressing room, players are going to have a fairly good idea or certainly an interest in what their teammates are being played. There is a certain status, I think,

dressing room status associated with having that big pay cut, getting the big new deal. And, you know, the self-esteem comes into it as well. So taking a pay cut, you know, and everyone knowing that you've taken a pay cut, I think, you know, that does kind of have a bit of an effect on a player's self-esteem and by extension, potentially, the sort of football and their confidence on the pitch.

OK, so those players are out of favour at Manchester United. One who might well be very much in favour, Henry, Brian Mbomo, who could be going the other way. The eye say Brentford tell United to up their offer. This is always the case with Manchester United, aren't they? Clubs know that they're pretty desperate to sign these forward players and there's a bit of a Manchester United tax potentially. What do you make of where it's being positioned at the moment?

Yeah, I mean, obviously he's been linked with Thomas Frank at Tottenham for obvious reasons. I find it fascinating the link with Manchester United. I mean, look, 20 goals this season, the assists as well, his work ethic, his character, everything that Manchester United really need.

But then again, you're running into a Manchester United sort of stockpiling number 10s where they used to sort of stockpile sort of wingers. I know he plays so slightly wide, but what does this mean for Mason Mount? Obviously, Bruno Fernandes is going to start, Mateus Kunio is going to start. They're still looking for a number nine. And Mbweme was a very good player, very versatile player, but I don't necessarily see him as an out-and-out centre-forward number nine like a Jokeres, which is really what Manchester United need.

So I think there's sort of tactical issues there. Look, he's such a talented player. I'm sure he would force his way in somehow. But actually, when you look at what Manchester United need, they need a very mobile, ball-playing, ball-winning central midfielder. They need a more reliable goalkeeper than Alana at the moment rather than another, even if he is an outstanding attacking player in Brian and Remo. Jonathan, what's your take on Mbumo?

He's a great player. I mean, I agree with Henry. His character is flawless. I think he's had a great season with Brentford. I would worry if United were essentially relying on him to pick up the slack in terms of goals from players like Hoyland and Xerxe, because even though he has had a great season, his underlying figures actually suggest that, you know...

it's been kind of a unicorn season for him in front of goal and that he is much more of a creative forward, someone who creates space, someone who fits into a tactical system rather than, you know, your quintessential target man or someone, you know, you could rely on for 20, 25 goals a season, which he hasn't really consistently produced in his career. So I think he's a great player

he is a great person to have around he he's a great talent but he does need to be used in a way that i think gets the best out of a central striker rather than than being that main guy himself

OK, let's look at some players further back on the pitch. And Mark Gahey, Henry, the back of the mail, saying that Liverpool go for Gahey with Jarrell Kwanzaa off to Germany. Newcastle, of course, were linked with him throughout the last window, or the summer window, but it looks like Liverpool pretty keen on him.

Yeah, and rightly so. I mean, he's an outstanding player. I think he and Konzer are England's starting pair. I mean, Tuchel has to sort of decide on that. He seems to be rotating a little bit. But Mark Gay, absolutely. 23 caps already. He's 24 years of age. He's been a

I mean, you talk to people at Palace and they say from 18, 19, he was a sort of natural leader. He's not a sort of shouter, but he's just got this sort of calm and this great role model off the pitch as well. Very interesting character, very religious individual. And just as a player, calm, controlled. I mean, it'd be interesting how they juggle it with Virgil van Dijk, who plays left, who plays right, right.

But I think they also, I mean, I'm out here at the under-21s and I've spoken to Gerald Kwanzaa and, I mean, look, he absolutely needs to play. But I think one thing that really isn't being mentioned enough in the background is that Liverpool really have to sort out Ibrahim Kanate's

signing as well sorting that one out before Kwanzaa goes but absolutely if you bring a player like Mark Gahee and you have Canarte and obviously Virgil van Dijk one of the best centre-halves top three centre-halves in the world that is formidable I mean Liverpool really are doing great business in this window they certainly are as Virgil is getting closer isn't it Jonathan and then you add Gahee potentially to those defenders that Henry mentions does he I mean Paul

He probably has to start, but if you've got Canarte and you've got Virgil van Dijk, then it's a nice problem for Arnott Slott to have. It is, and I think, you know, there was... At the start, like this time last season, I think there were indications that Kwanzaa was going to be that guy, and I think he's had a few... There's probably too many mistakes in his game that he needs to iron out, and I think there's some talk that he'll go to Leverkusen, £30 million is a good price for him, and if you bring in Gehi, I think it's a real statement of intent, along with...

whatever it is, 115 million on Florian Viers. And then Milos Kirke is coming in as well. That deal appears to be quite close. That's essentially 200 million in the space of a week or so. That is a big statement of intent. And Gehi in particular, because of the sort of player he is, not just in terms of his defensive skills, but his distribution skills,

and his leadership suggests to me that while he forms an incredible partnership with Van Dijk in the short term, Van Dijk is 33 in the long term. He is the kind of guy that you would look at as a potential replacement.

Do we see, Henry, if Liverpool do kind of make this happen with Wurz about to sign, the deals that Manchester City have done as well? We've seen those two kind of powerhouses make some pretty early moves in the window. And what kind of, how nervous should fans of other clubs, the Arsenals and one or two others around the top of the table be when these signings are getting done with relative ease?

Well, with relative ease and relatively early. And that's such an important thing. Every manager will tell you they love to get players in early so they can sort of embed them tactically, get them to know the other players. I think from Arsenal's perspective, I mean, everyone knows they're looking for players

a number nine. They've looked at Cesco. They've looked at him for a while. Obviously, Jokeres as well. I think if Arsenal get a number nine over the line and they manage to sort out Thomas Partey's contract and keep him because he had a good second half of the season.

then I think they will be fairly content. They probably still need a left-sided player. Apparently, I think the telegraph are linking them with Matiwiki, who's had a very good second half of the season at Chelsea. So, yeah, but look, Chelsea will go and buy. They're being linked with people. They're probably stockpiling wingers as we speak.

but you just look at liverpool and manchester city and liverpool's spending in particular you know they only spent 10 million on kiesa last year so they've had a they've built up a walters they've got the champions league money and they've you know slot won the title with klopp squad and now he's strengthening enhancing they've lost trent alexander arnold but frimpong comes in there they've got conor bradley so yeah liverpool will be the team to beat we are going to go

To the Telegraph and we're going to talk cricket. Jonathan, you're all over your cricket. Win or bust, Penny finally drops for Baz Ball. I guess when Ben Stokes and Brendan McCullum first took over, it was as much about style as it was substance. Yes, it worked, but it was about the brand of cricket that they were going to play. They're now saying, you know, with India and then latterly the Australian series coming up in the winter, they've got to make sure they win.

Yeah, very interesting to see Stokes today defending his record over the last three years. And there have been some incredible successes, you know, triumphing in Pakistan, you know, winning in New Zealand,

that they've won far more than they've lost. But in this job, I think everyone knows this. It's a compact that every England captain, every England coach takes on. You have to beat India and you have to beat Australia. And obviously they missed their chance against Australia two summers ago. They lost quite heavily the last time they toured India. And I think this is a real opportunity for them to...

to i think put out a big statement win india are obviously under sugarman gill they've got a new captain they don't have a number settle number three they don't have a set on number six they're not entirely sure what what the makeup of their attack is going to be uh they are a team in transition obviously with the retirements of coley and rohit and

doubts, I think over where the boomer is going to, going to play all five. I think, I think maybe three or four is the best we can expect from him. So there was a real opportunity for, for Stokes is England here with, I think potentially the most settled top six in, in world cricket and a raw, but very exciting attack. You know, we will have Brighton cast taking the new ball for, for pretty much our role that he's not really played for Durham, let alone England. And then Josh tongue, who obviously missed the whole of last summer with injury. And,

And I think it is a real opportunity because people talk about these 10 tests as a kind of a block. But I think if England lose this series to India against a team ranked below them in the ICC rankings with all of the transition that they're going through, it won't be a sure thing that Stokes actually makes the Ashes. The call to sort of jump on the Harry Brook bandwagon ahead of that tour to Australia might actually be quite tempting. So Stokes is...

playing for his own future as much as anything. Yeah, I mean, that's a pretty punchy call, isn't it, Henry, playing for his future, Ben Stokes, because he's been very much at the forefront of this England resurgence. It's very much his team. And he is so talismanic. I mean, he speaks the day before the test, as captains do, but you get a real sense that this is a leader who kind of drags his team into battle in Ben Stokes.

But he's also the type of sporting individual who loves being written off. So I think sort of any headline sort of questioning him and Johnny's right, you know, there will be questions about him. I mean, it would be a huge call, even if England have a reverse in these tests against the Indians to actually drop him, to drop a character like that. I mean, the Australians would absolutely love that.

So, yeah, I would be surprised. I mean, I think John is right about the bowling, but I still think they'll be looking at the weekend and just see how Joffre Archer sort of gets through. He's playing at the weekend. He's easing his way back in. But, look, it's a fabulous – I mean, for cricket fans, I'm going to a couple of the tests just as a punter because this is sport at its very, very highest level.

I mean, obviously, the Ashes is the main one, but, you know, India with Boomer and players like that, I mean, as you say, it's a pity, Coley's not there. But it's going to be absolutely fascinating duel between these two great sides. Yeah, he says, and you're right, Henry says, that the Ashes is the big one, and we look at it very much through that lens, don't we, as England fans, but...

actually the Indians, India's the powerhouse of world cricket. These guys are superstars even without the likes of Kohli and Sharma and Ashwin. And actually this series is huge, Jonathan. Yeah, I mean, it's interesting, Richard Gould, the ECB chief executive saying, I think it was last week that

India is now basically on a par with the Ashes, certainly in terms of the commerce, the financial aspect of it, but also for the players. In terms of, like you say, the powerhouse of the world game, you want to perform to the biggest possible audience. And putting in a statement performance against India in whatever format, that does turn heads. And it gets you a reputation that nothing else really can in this game.

OK, Henry, let's focus a little bit on the Lions, the British and Irish Lions. They play in Dublin against Argentina. Then, of course, it is off to Australia. Australia at the back of the Telegraph, or the Telegraph say Australia in plastic Lions jibe. Schmidt takes swipe. This is Joe Schmidt, the Australian coach, at Southern Hemisphere pair. The centre, the British Lions likely centre pairing, both hail from the Southern Hemisphere. The mind games have begun.

Yeah, it's wonderful, isn't it? I mean, it's great for the media. A lion's test really doesn't need sort of much ramping up. But if the Australians are getting a little bit sort of hot under the collar, and it was interesting reading his quotes, he sort of obviously knows the two characters quite well. And he was talking about their strengths.

almost as if he was implying that there simply isn't anyone else of their caliber, you know, in the four nations over here. So, yeah, I mean, it's, I mean, look, England, sorry, the Lions are playing by the rules. I know there was a fair bit of debate because they're what, they're eight foreign born players in the, was it 36, 38 man squad. So you can understand that debate there.

But, yeah, the Australians have seized on it. So I think first shots have been fired. First shots have been fired and Richard Wigglesworth has fired back. Jonathan, the Times don't doubt Lyons' desire, Schmidt told. Richard Wigglesworth, the Lyons' assistant coach, said he felt the comment was designed to distract them, basically saying that these guys have earned the right to play for the Lyons and it's a big deal playing for the British and Irish Lyons. They're not going to be put off with that kind of...

I can't think it's trash talk, but certainly mind games. Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, what is more plastic than a proud New Zealander coaching Australia or indeed, you know, Joe Schmidt as a proud New Zealander who's basically spent most of the last 15, 20 years coaching somewhere else, most of it in the Northern Hemisphere. And so there is, you know, there is a kind of ridiculous element to it as well. But there is also a slightly sinister dimension, I think.

It's a bit of mind games. It's a bit of knockabout. But I think once you go down this road, you know, I'm a guy who often gets asked, like, where are you from? No, no, no, no. Where are you actually from, though? And I think, you know, once you start going down that road, and we see it in the political climate that we're all kind of steeped in at the moment,

that, you know, where are you from? Where are you actually from? This idea that only a native son of the soil can be a true citizen of, you know... And this stuff is... You don't want to play games with this stuff because you take yourself down into some very dark and sinister places. OK, well said. We're going to move on to...

this bromance between Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino. Just explain this one. We haven't got that long, Henry, but explain what's happening here in the Telegraph and the relationship between these two powerful men. I can explain it in three words, power and ego. We've got a bit longer than that. I'll...

I'll leave Johnny, who's a great politician, to look into Trump. But from Infantino, who was quite a sort of respected, slightly calm character, not necessarily so ego-driven when he was working at UEFA, but the moment he steps into FIFA and the corridors of power there, you know, his head gets turned. And it's like he thinks he's a, you know...

a world global political leader. He is a sports administrator. He's got the Juventus squad here. Okay, there are a couple of American players, but he's sort of turning around and he's asking the most extraordinary questions. I mean, it's just absolutely bizarre. So yeah, and FIFA keep telling us that sports and politics shouldn't mix. Well, have a look at that.