Manchester United face the possibility of being forced to release Marcus Rashford from his contract this summer following a change to players' rights laws
Marcus Rashford looks on after an England game at World Cup 2026
Marcus Rashford could leave Manchester United for free this summer(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Amid the uncertainty over Marcus Rashford's future at Old Trafford, there is a chance Manchester United may be forced to release their star. That's after a change to football regulations, which could have landed Ruben Amorim in hot water.
Rashford, 28, concluded a highly profitable season-long loan at Barcelona, where he won La Liga while contributing 14 goals and 14 assists. However, Los Cules have made it known they won't be signing the forward permanently after recruiting his England team-mate, Anthony Gordon, in a £70million move instead.
That leaves Rashford at something of a loose end as he prepares to return to United once World Cup 2026 is over. However, Michael Carrick won't be able to follow in Amorim's footsteps with one move in particular if his plan is to move Rashford on.
It was around 12 months ago that Rashford was named as part of Amorim's 'bomb squad' at Old Trafford. The title was given to a group of players the ex-United boss wanted to get rid, so he made them train separately from the rest of the main squad.
That tactic worked from a logistical point of view as fellow bomb squad members Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony each moved on. However, exiling players in such a manner could come at a hefty cost in future.
FIFA recently announced a memorandum of understanding in collaboration with players' union Fifpro. The change means any player exiled from the main squad can file a breach-of-contract claim and demand they be released as a result.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates with team mate Michael Carrick as he scores their second goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter final second leg match between Manchester United and RSC Anderlecht at Old Trafford
Michael Carrick reportedly wants to keep former team-mate Rashford at Old Trafford(Image: Laurence Griffiths, Getty Images)
View 2 Images
A successful claim would also oblige the club in question to pay up the remainder of said player's contract. In Rashford's case, that would stack up to the tune of around £30m given he has two years remaining on his £300,000-a-week deal at Old Trafford.
Needless to say that's not the kind of amount United can afford to give up for nothing this summer. And it only further encourages Carrick to try and bring Rashford back into the fold if a transfer away can't be agreed.
The FIFA ruling is designed to protect players from being segregated from the rest of their squad when a manager isn't happy. Forcing players to train in isolation may be effective in terms of getting them to depart but was found to be abusive in nature.
Premier League icon Alan Shearer recently voiced his opinion that Carrick should do all in his power to move the player on this summer. The Newcastle legend believes "too much may have gone on" behind the scenes for things to be salvaged at United.
However, in the event Rashford does find himself as something of a fifth wheel at United, he'll still be a part of the squad. Even if that's not his nor the manager's preference ahead of what may be an awkward post-World Cup reunion.