This summer has not unfolded as either Marcus Rashford or Manchester United envisioned.
There was a mutual expectation that Barcelona would exercise their €30 million option to permanently sign him. However, the LaLiga club opted to invest over €90 million in acquiring Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi. As it stands, Rashford is set to return to United next week to kick off his preseason training.
With no alternative arrangement in place, Rashford, who still has two years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, is anticipated to be part of Michael Carrick’s squad this season. If he is chosen for the friendly against Leeds United in Dublin on Wednesday, it will mark his first appearance in a United shirt since the Europa League match against Viktoria Plzeň in December 2024.
Although this outcome was never part of the initial plan when he went to Spain a year ago, both United and Rashford must navigate this challenging situation as best as they can.
The transition back to his childhood club has been facilitated by the departure of Ruben Amorim, who was sacked in January. Amorim, whose AC Milan will face United in Wroclaw, Poland, on August 15, was instrumental in removing Rashford from the squad, a decision supported by part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and Director of Football Jason Wilcox.
Carrick, who succeeded Amorim at Old Trafford, has a shared history with Rashford, having played under Louis van Gaal and coached him during the tenures of both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
If anyone is likely to mend fences with Rashford, it’s Carrick. The two reportedly have a solid relationship, and United are optimistic that if Rashford returns – after scoring 14 goals across all competitions for Barca last season, his best goal tally since achieving 30 under Erik ten Hag in 2022-23 – he will come back a more experienced and mature player.
Part of Amorim’s issues with Rashford stemmed from his off-field behavior and attitude. Aside from being two minutes late to a team meeting, which resulted in him being benched for a match against Getafe in September, Rashford largely performed well while in Barcelona. Coach Hansi Flick even remarked last week that he would “miss” the England international.
“I’ve enjoyed working with him,” Flick stated. “He’s a fantastic player and an even better person. The team will feel his absence, and I will too, but that’s just how life goes.”
Life back at United will present new challenges for Rashford. The No.10 shirt, once given to him by Mourinho in 2018, has already been given to Matheus Cunha last summer.
For most of his 426 appearances for United since debuting as a teenager in 2016, Rashford has been a first-choice player. However, with the competition from Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Benjamin Sesko, he may have to adapt his role.
The fans may also have mixed feelings. Some supporters are eager for the club to part ways with Rashford, while others advocate for him to be given another chance. Should he participate in United’s first competitive home match of the season against Ipswich Town on August 30, the reception he receives could be divided; however, any negative sentiments might quickly fade if he starts finding the back of the net.
Rashford’s potential return also raises new questions. United had hoped to clear around €90 million by offloading players this summer, with the €30 million anticipated from Barcelona included in that projection. Currently, the only substantial financial boost has come from the €44 million transfer to Napoli for Rasmus Højlund.
The club has been looking into acquiring left-sided forwards and strikers, but if Rashford, who can fulfill both roles, remains, the need for additional signings may diminish.
This situation may also impact Patrick Dorgu, as there’s ongoing discussion within the club about whether the Denmark international is best utilized as a left-back or in a more advanced attacking position. Rashford’s situation is yet another factor in a transfer window that has already required Berrada and Wilcox to be adaptable in their strategies.
With just over three weeks remaining until the transfer deadline, United are still open to offers for Rashford. Club executives believe his value exceeds the €30 million previously discussed with Barcelona, yet they concede that finding a suitor willing to pay more is unlikely. Several clubs, including some Premier League competitors, have expressed interest, but United has not received a formal bid thus far. This may change as the deadline approaches, but his weekly salary of £325,000 poses a significant hurdle for most clubs worldwide.
Rashford’s representatives have downplayed rumors about potential transfers to the Turkish Super Lig and Saudi Pro League, emphasizing his intention to stay connected with the England setup.
Rashford’s strong performances at Barcelona reestablished his place under Thomas Tuchel, enabling him to contribute to the World Cup. With the Euros set to take place in Germany in 2028, he aims to remain in Tuchel’s plans.
Unless there’s a last-minute change, the first coach Rashford needs to impress this season will be Carrick. If he succeeds, a return to United, once considered improbable a year ago, could very well become a reality.