Marcus Rashford has enjoyed an impressive start to life in Spain, after joining Barcelona on loan over the summer. The deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent for £26 million next summer.
What's the situation?
Barcelona have been impressed with Rashford's work rate and talent, but have lined up a potential alternative in 16-year-old Dinamo Zagreb forward Cardoso Varela.
Why the alternative?
Rashford's disciplinary problems have persisted, including being dropped for a league game after being late to a team meeting, which may have prompted Barcelona to consider other options.
What comes next?
If Rashford continues to perform at a high level, a permanent move to Barcelona feels inevitable, but the club will face competition from Chelsea for Varela's signature.
Rashford has already made it clear that he would love to remain in Spain, and his return to the England setup, playing in Thursday's 3-0 friendly win over Wales, has boosted his chances of securing a place in Thomas Tuchel's squad for next summer's World Cup.
The Englishman's impressive form has also been noted by his brother Dwaine, who persuaded Barcelona to sign him despite initial reservations about his disciplinary record.
According to a source, Barcelona thought Manchester United were playing a game by letting Rashford go, but his brother's intervention helped to seal the deal.
Rashford's contract at Manchester United is still in place, but with Ruben Amorim in charge, a return to his boyhood club seems unlikely.
Barcelona's pursuit of Varela will depend on whether Rashford has a long-term future at the club, with the young Portuguese forward's contract at Dinamo Zagreb running until June 2028.