Marcus Rashford's comments offered a clue regarding where his future lies
Marcus Rashford of England celebrates after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Dallas, United States
Marcus Rashford's future is uncertain(Image: Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Marcus Rashford previously showed his loyalty to Manchester United by saying Liverpool were "never an option" during his younger days. The 28-year-old’s future is still unclear after Barcelona opted against signing him permanently for £26million at the end of his season-long loan stint in Spain.
Rashford, who is currently at the World Cup with England, will join up with the United squad after the tournament as it stands. Despite the widespread belief that his Old Trafford career was over, there is a possibility he could be in contention for selection during pre-season under Michael Carrick.
With United unwilling to sanction a third consecutive loan spell, The Manchester Evening News reports that Rashford could remain with his boyhood club beyond the summer. There is a readiness on all sides to explore his reintegration, though such an outcome is far from certain.
Several Premier League clubs are still expected to circle for the forward this summer. Domestic rivals remain the most likely to be able to afford or attract him, given his eye-watering wages.
Rashford, however, is said to prefer to run down the final two years of his contract at United. And his life-long affiliation with the Red Devils would block him from joining the few teams that could actually sign him.
His comments from 2018, addressing rumours that he might have chosen Liverpool over United once upon a time as a child, suggest as much. The forward insisted he only ever wanted to play for United, indicating that he would rather stay put than join a rival.
He explained at the time: "No. Liverpool was never an option. Liverpool, City, Everton - there was no other club I really would have enjoyed going to other than United. It just felt like the natural thing to do."
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates with Scott McTominay of Manchester United after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 03, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Rashford is Manchester United through and through(Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
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Looking to the future, even if Rashford weren't to snub the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal, United would block him from signing for the former and Manchester City, given their huge rivalry.
Rashford joined his beloved Red Devils aged seven and made a dream debut as an 18-year-old, scoring twice against Arsenal back in 2016. He went on to become a star player at Old Trafford, netting 138 goals in 426 appearances.
He loan exit to Aston Villa, and then to Barcelona, came after his falling out with then-head coach Ruben Amorim.