Marcus Rashford has rejoined Manchester United's first team for pre-season, returning to training in Dublin ahead of the new campaign. The 28-year-old forward had been on an extended break after reaching the World Cup semi-finals with England, along with Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez, who played in the final with Argentina.
Rashford's return was not expected at the end of last season following a successful loan spell at Barcelona, where he scored in a 2-0 win over Real Madrid that clinched La Liga. After that match, Rashford said: "I am not a magician, but if I was, I would stay. We will see. I came here to win. I want to win as many things as I can. This is one more to add to this. This is a wonderful team, they're going to win so much in the future; to be a part of that would be special." Barcelona, however, opted not to trigger a buy clause in his loan and instead signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle.
World Cup admission
Before flying to Mexico for England's World Cup round of 16 match, Rashford said he had hoped his future would be resolved before the tournament. "I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup," he told reporters. "I wanted it done before but if it's not, then I won't be dealing with it until after because I want to be fully present in this moment."
Rashford was benched for the matches against Mexico and Norway in the quarter-finals, had a brief cameo in the 2-1 defeat to Argentina, and started and provided an assist as England beat France 6-4 in the third-place play-off.
Carrick history
After Saturday's draw with Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg, United head coach Michael Carrick was asked about Rashford's return. "I've played with him. I played in the game he made his debut, so we have a history," Carrick said. "We have a full squad next week in Dublin. We fly straight there and meet Leeds on Wednesday. We have a few days in Dublin where we have the whole squad, including Marcus, Kobbie and Lisandro."
Tottenham interest
On the Manchester is Red podcast, United writer Tyrone Marshall provided an update on Rashford's future, including links to Tottenham. "I'd be stunned if it was Fenerbahce or Saudi Arabia, I'm told there is no interest in that," he said. "Rashford isn't looking for a payday here. He's looking to keep his England place, he's looking for Champions League football, he's looking for high-level football - United gives him that."
"Tottenham has been mentioned a lot this summer, I believe they've enquired, they're interested, they'd consider it, but I don't get the impression Rashford's necessarily mad about it, at the minute. They're not in the Champions League, they don't have Champions League football to offer. I think if anything is going to happen, it is going to happen in the last few days or the last week of the window."
What next?
Rashford is now with the United squad and could play some role against Leeds at Croke Park on Wednesday night. United have been clear they will reintegrate Rashford if no suitable offers arrive. The transfer window shuts on September 1, so time is running out to agree his exit.
