Rio Ferdinand has weighed in on Marcus Rashford's future after the England forward scored against Croatia
England's former captain Rio Ferdinand looks on before the start of the UEFA Champions League final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal FC at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
Rio Ferdinand has been vocal on the subject of Marcus Rashford's future(Image: FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
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More than a year after dismissing the chances of Marcus Rashford reviving his Manchester United career, Rio Ferdinand seems to have had a change of heart. Ferdinand now reckons the England international might profit from adopting a different role at Old Trafford, suggesting the player has matured while out on loan.
Rashford spent the past season-and-a-half away from his parent club, finishing the 2024/25 season at Aston Villa before spending all of the following campaign at Barcelona. Despite the forward hitting double figures for goals and assists, Barca allowed their option for a permanent £26m swoop to expire after moving for Anthony Gordon earlier in the summer.
Rashford put himself back in the spotlight when he rounded off the scoring in England's 4-2 World Cup group stage win over Croatia. Ferdinand now appears to reckon the 'finisher' position for England - and one he filled at times with Barcelona - might allow Rashford to resurrect his career at the club where he made his breakthrough as a teenager over a decade ago.
In January 2025, Rashford was shown the door by then-manager Ruben Amorim, with public criticism from the boss leaving Ferdinand certain the player's United career was finished. "If I was the player the manager said that about, my heart, my pride, my ego - it's embarrassment," the former England international said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.
"For someone to question your application, to question you giving 100 per cent for the team, saying you're lacking effort and taking shortcuts, that's a damning comment. There's no way back for Marcus after that. If he did come back that means other players can take their foot off the gas and have a way back into the team and take shortcuts."
Yet in the most recent episode of the same YouTube show, Ferdinand shifted his stance considerably but acknowledged circumstances have changed. "Manchester United might have to reevaluate Marcus Rashford's situation," he said.
"It seems like he has matured; the time away from the club may have done him the good that he needed, and it has cleansed both parties. Is it time to shake hands and come back?"
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 17: Marcus Rashford #11 of England celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tullio Puglia - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford put in an impressive display for England against Croatia(Image: Tullio Puglia - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images)
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The former United defender argued that the season spent under Hansi Flick in Catalunya had helped the winger gain a clearer understanding of his responsibilities, adding: "He was given a role at Barcelona, told he would be an impact player at times, to come on and change games. At England, that is his role, and that's a huge asset to the squad in this competition."
Rashford has now netted in back-to-back World Cups, having struck three times in Qatar in 2022. He will be pushing hard for a starting berth against Ghana in England's second fixture, having already giving both United and potential suitors plenty to consider.
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