Manchester United fear Marcus Rashford's future might not get resolved until after the World Cup, which would seriously hamper the club's summer transfer business and Michael Carrick's plans for next season.
Transfer stalemate with Barcelona
Rashford has been left in limbo following a breakdown in communications between United and Barcelona. Barca had agreed to make this season's loan deal permanent for a fee of £24 million. However, the Spanish giants want to renegotiate the terms after spending £70 million on signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle.
United have refused the offer of another 12-month loan, a lesser fee, or the original £24 million spread over several instalments. United bosses have become exasperated with Barca's attitude towards negotiating a deal for the England international.
Potential alternatives
The situation has reached the point where United are considering turning their backs on the Catalan outfit and selling the 28-year-old to someone else instead. The problem United have, however, is that the transfer fee once agreed with Barca would be the same figure other clubs expect to pay.
A host of clubs are keeping close tabs on developments, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham. But United are reluctant to sell Rashford to one of their main English rivals, while the forward is not interested in going to either Newcastle or Tottenham.
Rashford's stance and contract
Rashford remains contracted to the English giants until 2028 on a deal worth £325,000 a week. It is understood Rashford has no interest in resuming his United career. United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains desperate to get him off the club's wage bill. The club had been banking on Barca signing Rashford permanently to help them formulate a transfer budget for new manager Carrick.
Pre-World Cup training
Rashford, meanwhile, has been training on his own at MLS outfit Inter Miami ahead of linking up with the rest of England's World Cup squad, as the countdown to the big kick-off gets closer. He returned 14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances across his debut campaign with Barcelona and struck up a good relationship with manager Hansi Flick. The German is understood to be keen on keeping Rashford, but the arrival of his England teammate Gordon has complicated matters further.
England's squad arrive in Florida on Monday for their pre-World Cup training camp. Like many other players, Rashford chose to holiday in North America ahead of the camp on Thomas Tuchel's advice. The Three Lions' first game is against Croatia in Dallas on June 17, with further games against Ghana and Panama to follow.
