Former Aston Villa loan forward Marcus Rashford has impressed at Barcelona this season with 10 goals and 13 assists, agreeing salary terms for a potential permanent move - but Wes Brown believes talks will take place about a Manchester United return under Michael Carrick
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Despite Marcus Rashford reaching an agreement on wages for a potential permanent switch to Barcelona, discussions are expected to take place about his future at Manchester United.
The 28 year old striker joined Barca on a season-long loan from United last summer after impressing with a stint at Aston Villa nd has made a strong impression with his displays at Camp Nou.
The England international has found the net 10 times and contributed 13 assists in 35 outings across all competitions this season. Hansi Flick's side hold the option to secure Rashford for £26million at the end of the campaign, a price that United are maintaining despite Barca's efforts to reduce it.
SPORT reported on Saturday that Barca had made headway in bringing Rashford's wages in line with their financial constraints following discussions between Barca sporting director Deco, Rashford's representative Arturo Canales, and an agreement has been struck.
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Although Rashford appears destined for a permanent transfer to Catalonia, former United defender Wes Brown would 'love' to see him remain at Old Trafford. Brown is convinced that talks will take place regarding Rashford's return to United, particularly following Ruben Amorim's departure and Michael Carrick's return.
Speaking to The Express via Bet MGM, Brown said: "I've said it before, I'd love it if he came back. But things have to be right. It wasn't right in his court and all the clubs' courts at the time. There was a lot of falling outs and that's what you don't want. You definitely don't want that.
"I think the main thing for me is that he is playing well. There would have been a lot of pressure when he went there on him. But he's doing his thing. They really like him.
"Rashford, I'm guessing, would love to stay there. You're talking about Barcelona as well. If he's doing his thing there and he's enjoying it, I'm sure he would love to.
"But at the same time, the manager has changed now. Circumstances are different. And I'm sure that discussion will go ahead."
The 44 year old Carrick has made a substantial impact since succeeding Amorim as United's boss for the remainder of the season. The former United player returned to Old Trafford in mid-January and has delivered triumph in six of his first seven fixtures, amassing 19 points from a potential 21 in the Premier League.
This remarkable run has lifted United to third place in the table, drawing level on points with fourth-placed Aston Villa and sitting three points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool. Reflecting on the impact Carrick has delivered since returning to the Red Devils, Brown observed: "I think it was always going to be difficult but when Michael got it, the main thing was the first game. What's the reaction going to be like from the players?".
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"Not only the fans and myself but he got a great reaction to whatever he did in that first week, the first few days, the way the lads were even passing the ball. They were expressing themselves a little bit and it's the reaction, whatever he did, the reaction was right from the lads.
"But obviously to keep that going now, I think he's eight games in, I think I got that right, it's been brilliant. Who would have expected him not to have lost a game, first of all? Yes, not every game is going to be like your Arsenal's, the way we played there with Arsenal being so good and really hard to score against anyway. But he's managed to get the players playing with confidence and expressing themselves. At the time, that wasn't happening with Ruben.
"He's stuck to the same team as well, which is interesting. He's asked his players to respond and I think they've responded immensely. Again, we've played games where it's been a bit tight but managed to get a result out of it. If not three points, definitely a draw."
Wes Brown was speaking with BetMGM.