Manchester United fans are convinced the club has dropped a major hint that Marcus Rashford will not leave this summer. A year and a half after his last appearance for the Reds, the club is still no closer to resolving his future. The saga seemed to end when United agreed a £26 million option-to-buy clause with Barcelona ahead of his loan spell in Catalonia last summer—a move the forward had pushed for since announcing he wanted a new challenge.
Barcelona decline option, sign Gordon
Despite the 28-year-old's eagerness to stay at Barcelona beyond the 2025/26 season, the La Liga winners opted not to activate the clause and instead paid £70 million for Anthony Gordon. The deadline to sign Rashford permanently passed last month, leaving both him and United frustrated, as they are unwilling to sanction a third loan deal.
Rashford's time with his boyhood club may not be ending, however. Reports suggest he will join up with the United squad after the World Cup and potentially be in contention for pre-season selection under Michael Carrick.
Club social media post fuels speculation
The club added fuel to those rumours by including Rashford—who had been frozen out after a falling out with former head coach Ruben Amorim—in a list of eight United players who reached the World Cup's round of 16. Rashford was the last on the list, posted on X by the official club account. He followed Lisandro Martinez, Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Senne Lammens, and Kobbie Mainoo, before Brazil and Portugal were knocked out.
Many United fans took his inclusion to mean he is expected to stay and be reintegrated by Carrick. One X user wrote: “Soft launch if I’ve ever seen one,” while another argued: “Think we should warm ourselves up to the fact he’s coming back.” A third concluded: “Lol he’s playing for us next season isn’t he,” as another chimed in: “This soft launch campaign is coming along nicely.” A fifth added: “They’re very subtly teasing his return and I think that’s become very obvious.”
Rashford's preference remains a move away
Nevertheless, Rashford, currently representing England at the World Cup, suggested prior to the win over Mexico that his preference has been a move away. He told reporters last Saturday: "I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup, I wanted it (a move) done before. If it’s not, I wanted it to wait until after. I want to be fully present in the moment. We’re fighting for something special."
Rashford's last United appearance and loan moves
Rashford's last game for United came in December 2024 against Viktoria Plzen. Later that month, he was dropped ahead of a Manchester Derby by Amorim, who later claimed it was due to poor application in training. The forward was left out of most matchday squads until his loan move to Aston Villa was confirmed in January 2025. A mixed spell at Villa Park was followed by inclusion in United's 'bomb squad' at Carrington—a group of players the club no longer wanted—before sealing his dream temporary switch to Barcelona.
Impressive stats at Barcelona
His 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions for the La Liga giants suggest he would still be a useful player under Carrick. However, given the drama between the player and United, it remains to be seen whether both parties would be interested in reconciliation.
