Marcus Rashford will link back up with the Manchester United squad in Dublin for the next stage of pre-season, assistant manager Michael Carrick has confirmed. The 28-year-old forward has been on a mandatory three-week holiday following England's third-place finish at the World Cup in North America.
Rashford's future remains uncertain
Rashford's club future has been in doubt all summer after Barcelona declined to trigger their £26 million option to sign him permanently following his loan spell at the Camp Nou. He was frozen out by former boss Ruben Amorim and has not played for United in a competitive match since a Europa League tie against Viktoria Plzen in December 2024, having also spent time on loan at Aston Villa.
Rashford, who is under contract at Old Trafford until 2028, will join up with the squad in Dublin ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Leeds at Croke Park. He will be accompanied by England team-mate Kobbie Mainoo and Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez, who have also been on holiday after their World Cup commitments.
Carrick welcomes back trio
"I've played with him. I played in the game he made his debut, so we have a history," Carrick said after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg. "We have got a full squad this week in Dublin. We fly straight there and have a few days where we have the whole group back together. Marcus is part of that, and Kobbie and Lisandro. We look forward to seeing them."
Reports this week have suggested Rashford, who earns £325,000 a week, could receive an extra £4 million this season if he stays at United due to a Champions League qualification clause. Another clause that would have allowed clubs other than Manchester City or Liverpool to sign him for £40 million is said to have expired last month.
Injury concerns ahead of Leeds clash
Carrick will hope Mason Mount is fit to face Leeds after limping off just 20 minutes into the PSG game following a heavy challenge. The former Chelsea midfielder was seen leaving the Ullevi Stadium without a limp or protective boot, and his manager confirmed the substitution was precautionary.
Veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton was forced off at half-time against PSG with a hamstring injury, while United were without Benjamin Sesko, Matthijs de Ligt, long-term absentee Manuel Ugarte, and the ill Senne Lammens and Matheus Cunha. New signing Youri Tielemans made an impressive debut off the bench as Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, and Noussair Mazraoui returned.
Pre-season finale and Premier League opener
After the Ireland camp and Leeds match, United will face AC Milan, managed by Amorim, in Wroclaw, Poland next weekend. Their Premier League season begins away at newly-promoted Hull on August 22.
