Kylian Mbappe once heaped praise on Marcus Rashford as pair tipped for Manchester United link up

Kylian Mbappe is reportedly a transfer target for Sheikh Jassim and his Nine Two Foundation if their takeover of Manchester United is successful - and he has already praised team-mate Marcus Rashford.

According to German football journalist Christian Falk, Mbappe is one of three elite players that Sheikh Jassim wants to sign for United should he purchase a full stake, through his foundation, of the club from the Glazer family.

It is claimed he wants to make it a new French trio at United, with Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman and Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga targeted.

Mbappe's future was the subject of huge speculation last year, with Real keen on securing his signature on what would have been a free transfer.

But the Frenchman agreed to a new PSG contract, which made him football's highest-earning player at the time.

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo now holds that accolade, but Le Parisien claim that Mbappe still takes home a gross salary of €6 million (around £5.3 million) per month.

His new deal means it would take a staggering amount of money to sign him from the French giants - but the Qatari-backed bid reportedly sees him as a key part of United's future.

And Mbappe has already praised a potential future team-mate at Old Trafford.

Mbappe Rashford praise

Should he move to United, Mbappe would be lining up alongside this season's top goalscorer Marcus Rashford.

Rashford has been a key player under Erik ten Hag this season, bouncing back from a difficult 2021/22 campaign to net 29 goals in all competitions thus far.

He is still yet to agree to an extension on his current contract, which ends in 2024, but the prospect of playing alongside arguably world football's best player may convince him to renew.

And speaking in 2020 ahead of PSG taking on United in the Champions League, Mbappe praised Rashford for his on-pitch ability and his work off the pitch in raising awareness of, and tackling, child poverty.

He said (quotes via Daily Mirror): "He's one of the most dangerous forward players in England. Paul Pogba has spoken about how special he is - and he doesn't talk about players in such a way often.

"To tackle an issue as important as child poverty is one of the most important things that somebody can do. So I have full respect that he's been doing that and trying to make a real change.

"I do think there is a requirement for players to use their position to make a difference in the world. We've been given so much and it's an important that we give back."

Premier League defences will surely hope that the pair will not combine at Old Trafford next season.