Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter

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Michael Carrick was given a number of opportunities to say Marcus Rashford will still be a United player when the transfer window closes on 1 September, but didn't take them.

"He's our player," he kept repeating.

It was also noticeable that in talking about the England forward, he was keen to stress Rashford was not the only player in his squad he had previously coached, managed or been a team-mate of given it has been highlighted as an area of strength in the player's reintroduction.

"It is not a unique situation at all and [we] treat him exactly like any other player," he said.

However, many supporters have not forgiven Rashford for his coolness towards United during loan spells with Aston Villa and Barcelona, where everyone expected him to be this season.

It is accepted even by those who know him there is a world of difference between the disinterested figure he became under Ruben Amorim and the fully motivated one who is widely accepted to be the best player to come through the club's academy since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

First up, it is Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United.

Last season the England player was on loan to Barcelona.

Boss Michael Carrick said Rashford is "our player".

Will Rashford find a move or will he stay at Old Trafford?

Enzo Maresca will be due to sit with the media at 11:00 BST for his news conference, but we will take a step away from Man City talk and take a look at some transfer news in the Premier League.

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Manchester City's record signing Elliot Anderson says he is "feeling comfortable" after his big move from Nottingham Forest.

"I'm over the moon. First day of training today, the lads have welcomed me really well and training went well so just getting to grips with everything," he told BBC Radio Manchester.

He added he was looking forward to working with new manager Enzo Maresca "a lot" and "you can see the detail he goes in to".

On potentially making his debut against Arsenal in the Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday, he said: "The chance to win a trophy in your first week is quite good so hopefully I can get some minutes there and show what I can do. I'm feeling comfortable.

"It will be a difficult game, obviously they are champions from last season, so it will be tough but every game is going to be tough this season. We will just put our style on them and try and win the game."

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Should Rodri depart, Enzo Maresca's Manchester City side are somewhat lacking in leaders, with club captain Bernardo Silva and experienced campaigners John Stones and Nathan Ake also leaving.

Maresca is believed to want a homegrown player in the leadership group, which consists of Rodri, Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland.

Despite his outspoken nature, Haaland does not seem suited to Maresca's demands of a captain on the pitch, which leaves Dias as the front-runner for the armband.

"Erling was one of the first to send a message when I joined the club," said Maresca.

"At Leicester and Chelsea I had a rule that when we scored the captain had to come to the bench, not to celebrate, but for instructions. But if he scores, then he can celebrate.

"If Erling is the captain, we have a problem... can you imagine?"

Phil Foden has captained City during pre-season and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is a vocal presence on the pitch, while defender Marc Guehi skippered former club Crystal Palace.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport Chelsea reporter

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The Argentina international, 25, has faced uncertainty over his future at Stamford Bridge since March, when he first raised the possibility of a move to Real Madrid.

Around that time, his agent Javier Pastore publicly stated his client was underpaid and wanted to leave following a difficult season in which Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League and ended the campaign without a trophy after losing the FA Cup final to Manchester City.

Real Madrid have since said they have "no intention" of signing Fernandez, leaving the only known potential suitors as Manchester City, whose new boss Enzo Maresca left Chelsea midway through last season.

It remains unclear whether City would be willing to meet the player's valuation, with the Etihad outfit also known to be targeting Lille's Moroccan midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi.

Chelsea have set a deadline of 17:00 BST on Friday for any offers and are expected to stand firm on their £120m price tag, even though they signed him for £107m from Benfica in 2023.

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Enzo Fernandez

Age: 25 Country: Argentina Club: Chelsea

City have been heavily linked with Fernandez, and he is currently the favoured option for Maresca, who worked with him at Chelsea.

But the London club are expected to stand firm on their £120m valuation - a hefty sum considering City have already spent £116m on Anderson.

Maresca made Fernandez captain at Chelsea in the absence of Reece James. The Italian clearly sees Fernandez as not only a talented player but also a leader, something City would be shorn of should Rodri move on.

Alexis Mac Allister

Age: 27 Country: Argentina Club: Liverpool

Perhaps the most surprising name to be linked with City is Mac Allister, but the Blues have explored a potential move for him.

The Argentine is into the final two years of his contract at Anfield and would bring top-flight experience and be a ready-made candidate to slot into City's midfield.

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Alex Scott

Age: 22 Country: England Club: Bournemouth

City have explored a potential move for England international Scott this summer.

The 22-year-old has rejected contract offers from the Cherries amid interest from other Premier League teams, though his current deal does not expire until 2028 and the club have expressed their desire to keep him.

Scott's energy and ball-carrying ability suit Maresca's preferred style of play.

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Ayyoub Bouaddi

Age: 18 Country: Morocco Club: Lille

Talk of City signing Bouaddi has been rumbling all summer, and the club have reportedly held talks with the Moroccan,, external who would cost an estimated £85m.

Bouaddi is said to be keen on the move.

The teenager impressed at this summer's World Cup after a starring role in Lille's Champions League victory over Real Madrid in 2024 announced him on the big stage.

Who could replace Rodri at Manchester City were he to leave?

Let's look at a few contenders.

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport

Enzo Maresca has been in his new job as Manchester City boss just six weeks, but already he may be on the cusp of having to make a tough decision.

With Rodri heavily linked with a move back to his native Spain, Maresca's first challenge may well be to find a replacement for a World Cup-winning captain and Ballon d'Or winner.

Rodri, 30, is in the final year of his contract and City have already rejected a £38.5m bid from Barcelona following interest from Real Madrid.

After helping the Blues win the Treble in 2023 then triumphing at the Euros with Spain a year later, an anterior cruciate ligament injury derailed Rodri's dominance somewhat.

But he showed glimpses of his brilliance for City last season before returning to the Rodri of old as he captained Spain to World Cup success in the summer.

His stock is high, and a move from Manchester after seven seasons with the club would leave a huge hole for Maresca to fill.

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