Marcus Rashford is expected to return to his parent team Manchester United in the coming weeks after his dreams of joining Barcelona come to an end after his loan spell ends
Marcus Rashford set to return to Manchester United after World Cup appearance (Image: Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford has been tipped to make an ‘almighty statement’ in a last-ditch effort to salvage his Manchester United career, but he may still be good enough for a bit role.
The Red Devils academy graduate has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford in recent years. He was initially loaned to Aston Villa and then joined Barcelona on a season-long loan deal last season.
The Spanish giants had an option to sign him permanently, but ultimately decided against it. The decision means Rashford will return to Manchester over the next few weeks following his break following his World Cup appearance with England.
However, former England international Micky Gray believes Rashford needs to issue a lengthy statement reaffirming his commitment to United.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “There are a few things here. The most important thing is that if Rashford has a future at Man United, he has to make an almighty statement about why he wants to be at Man United and what his reasons for leaving the club were in the first place.”
“I think that’s the priority he has to do. If he stays, he has to get used to being a bit-part player.
“He’s not number one on the list, he doesn’t play every week…[Brian]Mbuemo,[Mateus]Cunha,[Benjamin]Sesco, Amad, to name a few. They’ve caught up to or surpassed Rashford.”
“Spain is not England. He has done very well, but he can play at a different level at Barcelona than at Man United. There is no denying that the Premier League is 160 miles an hour. He will need to be fit in pre-season.”
Marcus Rashford has not played for Manchester United for almost two years (Image: Getty Images)
“We saw the good and the bad with Rashford for England at the World Cup… Can Manchester United use him in a way that is promising for the good and the bad? If they do that and he stays… Rashford has to expect he won’t play every game.”
Rashford still has two years left on his contract with United, having just signed a new deal in 2023. His weekly wage at Old Trafford is reportedly around £325,000.
The Red Devils are said to have set his price at around £40m, although Barcelona had a £25m option to sign him permanently in the summer.
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