Shock Raheem Sterling deal could present Manchester United with an unwanted transfer decision for 2025

Three years ago Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho were in the England squad that came within in a penalty shoot-out of winning a major tournament. Sancho was 21, Rashford 23 and Sterling 26 and they looked to be part of a bright future.

Now, they all find themselves at something of a crossroads. Back then, Sancho was heading for a return to the Premier League after an electric spell at Borussia Dortmund, Rashford had just had a second successive 20-goal season and Sterling was a key part of Manchester City's title winners.

In elite-level football, life can come at you fast. Now aged between 24 and 29, all three should be at their peak, but none of them made the cut for England's Euro 2024 squad. Sancho and Sterling find themselves out of the picture at Manchester United and Chelsea respectively and while Rashford's situation is perhaps the most secure for now, his status at his boyhood club is hanging by a thread.

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One solution to Sancho and Sterling's predicaments at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge is a swap deal, something the clubs have discussed this week, with the clock ticking towards Friday's deadline. United want to get rid of Sancho, who is surplus to requirements, while Chelsea are desperate to get rid of Sterling's wages.

If it comes off, and it's still probably more unlikely than likely at this stage, it would be a move of convenience. Sancho's days are numbered at United because of his falling out with Erik ten Hag last season and the absence of trust within that relationship, but also because United have four wingers to cover two positions.