Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer can still see Dan James leaving Manchester United this summer despite Marcus Rashford undergoing surgery on his shoulder.

The England forward is now set for a spell on the sidelines, meaning Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may need James to play a bigger role at the start of the season.

James is the subject of long-term interest from Leeds, with The Athletic's Phil Hay claiming that Marcelo Bielsa tried to bring him to Elland Road before the capture of Raphinha.

The Argentine is said to still have an interest in the player, and Palmer is refusing to rule out a transfer to Leeds this summer.

Asked by FFC if Rashford's shoulder surgery had scuppered the Whites' chances of landing James in this transfer window, the retired England international said:

"I don't think so. I don't think it's a problem for him to let him go. He's made a lot of signings this summer, so he's been pushed down the pecking order.

"I did my shoulder on the last day of the season, dislocated. I had it pinned and I was back for the first game of the season, so I don't think Rashford is going to be out for months and months on end."

It remains to be seen whether Leeds' interest materialises into anything in this transfer window. But if they got James, they would obviously be signing a winger who would bring so much pace to the side.

"I'd put myself top," the Wales international said earlier this year when discussing who the fastest player at Old Trafford is.