Marcus Rashford is set to return to Manchester United in pre-season after the World Cup, with positive talks taking place between the club and the player’s camp over his future.
Marcus Rashford could remain at Manchester United this summer (Image: James Gill – Danehouse, Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford could be offered the chance to revive his Manchester United career following constructive discussions between the club and the player’s representatives.
Rashford is currently representing England at the World Cup, but his long-term future remains uncertain after spending last season on loan at Barcelona, and he is expected to return to Carrington for pre-season in the coming weeks.
The 28-year-old will join the first-team squad when he arrives for training and could feature in some of United’s six friendlies in contention ahead of the new Premier League season, as he will compete for selection during pre-season under manager Michael Carrick.
Rashford was expected to leave Old Trafford for good in the transfer window, even after Barcelona refused to exercise a clause to sign him on a permanent transfer for £26m, instead seeking a £69m deal for fellow English player Anthony Gordon.
However, it is now widely believed that Rashford could remain at United after the transfer window closes after talks between the parties established the basis for a return during pre-season. According to the Manchester Evening News, preparations are now underway on all fronts to explore Rashford’s return.
The outcome is far from certain and a loan offer could change things, but United are currently reluctant to allow Rashford a third loan spell following spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona. Rashford was keen to extend his stay in Catalonia, but United are reluctant to enter into new negotiations with the La Liga side.
The Premier League club are expected to make a move for Rashford this summer, but at this point it would be better for him to use out the final two years of his contract rather than commit to a permanent move to another first team.
Barcelona paid big to sign Anthony Gordon before the World Cup, despite holding the option to make Rashford’s stay at Camp Nou permanent (Image: The FA via Getty Images)
The door was therefore not open for him to return to United, with Rashford already set to feature in the first-team set-up this summer after being banished to the ‘bomb squad’ by Ruben Amorim 12 months ago.
United are keen to add to their left flank this summer, with Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and West Ham’s Crisencio Somerville among potential targets, but that pursuit could be abandoned if Rashford remains at Old Trafford.
He could compete with Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorg on the left, or cover Benjamin Sesco in the middle.
If Rashford returns, United could use the funds they saved for the wide left-winger to invest in further midfield reinforcements, with Manuel Ugarte expected to miss much of next season with a serious knee injury.
For the time being, United have already completed the signing of Ederson from Atalanta and are moving ahead with the signing of West Ham midfielder Matheus Fernandes.
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