Two Manchester United legends have insisted that Marcus Rashford should remain at Old Trafford next season. The England international has spent time on loan at Aston Villa and Barcelona since his most recent appearance for the club in December 2024.
Rashford scored and assisted 14 goals each during his spell at Barcelona, helping the club win La Liga. However, Barcelona did not activate their £26m purchase option, leaving the forward's future in doubt. The 28-year-old publicly said he wanted to stay permanently, but Barcelona have since signed Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi. A separate £40m clause, available to any club except Liverpool or Manchester City, has also now lapsed.
Swap deal reports and Carrick appointment
It has been claimed Rashford could be used in a swap deal to help United pursue Roma's Manu Kone. Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport reports Kone is priced at approximately £51m and Roma would welcome Rashford, though his salary would force the club to explore a loan deal, which is considered unlikely.
Rashford is scheduled to rejoin United training this summer, more than 18 months after losing his place under former manager Ruben Amorim. Michael Carrick's appointment as manager has prompted two club legends to suggest Rashford could resurrect his United career.
Ince and Brown back Rashford return
Former midfielder Paul Ince said Rashford would flourish under Carrick, who was previously his United teammate and worked with him in earlier coaching roles. "I think Carrick can get the best out of him. I really, really do," Ince told Oddschecker. "If Carrick just puts his arm around him and says, 'Yeah, listen, you know, I want you at the club, I need you at the club. This is where you're going to play. This is what you're going to do.' Then I believe you're going to see a very, very good Rashford for Manchester United."
Former United defender Wes Brown echoed Ince. "I'm sure Michael Carrick would love him back because it gives him another option," Brown told The Sun on behalf of LiveFootballTickets. "If he could come into the scene this season, that helps out massively. I'm still not sure what's going to happen, but I think if it was just up to Michael, he would definitely be back in. Obviously Marcus would have loved to have probably stayed at Barca. They went another way, so I'm not sure what other options there is really. For me, it's always time. People always fall out and you can always rekindle things in football. It's just the way it is. I think it'll be a boost for Michael for him to be here next season."
Rashford's record and contract
Rashford has two years left on his United contract. He has featured 426 times for the club, scoring 138 goals and providing 79 assists.
