Manchester United officially begin their preparations for the 2025/26 season on Monday, and Marcus Rashford is among the players expected back at Carrington. Rashford has seemed destined for a permanent summer departure since leaving for Aston Villa on loan in January, but one has not yet come to fruition.
Villa have not triggered their £40million option to buy the 27-year-old at the end of his stint, during which he notched up 10 goal involvements in 17 appearances. Meanwhile, Rashford has made no secret that Barcelona are his dream destination, as they were in the winter. However, that transfer is increasingly unlikely.
According to The Athletic, Barcelona sporting director Deco and manager Hansi Flick both appreciate Rashford as a player.
But the La Liga champions are pushing to complete the signing of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams as a priority.
And it is claimed that there is unlikely to be space on the wage bill for Rashford once Williams joins Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia through the door.
The England international's £350,000-a-week salary is proving problematic, which has been a running theme across the players United want to sell this summer.
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Jadon Sancho and Antony are also heading for the exit door, but Juventus and Real Betis, respectively, are struggling to meet their demands.
With Rashford's future uncertain, The Athletic add that he intends to report for pre-season training with his United teammates on Monday.
The Red Devils No. 10 has three years remaining on his contract and is said to be open to another loan should a permanent transfer be out of reach.
His Carrington return could become permanent, though, if he can rebuild his relationship with Ruben Amorim.
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The Portuguese head coach reportedly wants to sign a new striker and midfielder once Bryan Mbeumo is through the door.
However, given the ongoing struggle to sell Rashford and Sancho, among other deadwood, United are not guaranteed to have the budget to do so.
Amorim could make an attempt to reconcile with the academy graduate and try to summon his unstoppable form from the 2022/23 campaign.
While Rashford seems set on a United exit, the prospect of playing between two attacking upgrades in Mbeumo and Cunha could appeal.