Michael Carrick has indicated that Marcus Rashford will remain at Manchester United, reiterating that he is 'our player'. Rashford, 28, returned to United for pre-season training on Monday after months of speculation over his future.
The England international had hoped to join Barcelona on a permanent basis, but the La Liga champions chose not to activate their £26million option to buy clause following his season-long loan. United subsequently set a £40m price tag on Rashford, yet no deal has materialised with less than three weeks until the summer transfer window closes.
Carrick's comments on Rashford's return
Now back with his United team-mates, the forward looks set to remain at Old Trafford for the long term. Rashford could make his first appearance for his boyhood club since December 2024 when United take on AC Milan in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday, having not been ready for Wednesday's game against Leeds in Dublin.
At Croke Park, Carrick was asked about Rashford's future and told ITV Sport: "He's our player and he's come back great. He's just like any other player.
"I've known Marcus a long time and he gives us something a little bit different. And he's been in great spirits since he's been back. He's been back two or three days training and it's just pretty normal, to be honest. And we're looking forward to the start of the season."
Rashford's Barcelona spell and Barca's new direction
Carrick played alongside Rashford when he broke into the first-team as a teenager before coaching him under both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The United manager will be hoping to get the best out of Rashford, who scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in 49 appearances for Barcelona.
But instead of signing him permanently, Barca have gone in a different direction. Hansi Flick has welcomed Newcastle star Anthony Gordon for £69m and Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi for £19m, reshaping his side's attack following the departures of Rashford, Robert Lewandowski and soon Ferran Torres, who is poised to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Flick's previous comments on Rashford
Flick said last month after Barca signed Gordon: "You don't know what happens with players who are on loan - our situation is not easy for that.
"But I appreciate working with him. He is a fantastic player and a fantastic person. The team miss him, I will miss him, but it is life. This is what we have to accept.
"And in the end, Anthony Gordon comes and from the first call with him when I spoke with him, he is on fire with Barca and I'm really happy that he's on our team."
