Marcus Rashford's Manchester United future is yet to be resolved
Marcus Rashford speaks during an interview
Marcus Rashford's future is uncertain(Image: YouTube/ESPN UK)
View 2 Images
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 situation remains uncertain after Barcelona chose not to make his season-long loan permanent with a £26million transfer.
Rashford, who is presently representing England at the World Cup, is set to re-join the United squad following the competition as things stand. Despite widespread assumptions that his Old Trafford days were finished, there is a chance he could feature in pre-season under Michael Carrick.
With United reluctant to sanction a third successive loan move, The Manchester Evening News understands that Rashford may stay with his boyhood club beyond the summer. There is willingness from all parties to consider his return to the fold, although such a scenario is by no means certain.
Several Premier League sides are still expected to pursue the forward this summer. Domestic rivals remain the most likely destinations as they are able to afford him, given his eye-watering wages.
Rashford, however, is believed to favour seeing out the remaining two years of his contract at United. And his lifelong connection with the Reds would prevent him from joining the limited number of clubs realistically capable of securing his signature.
His comments from 2018, responding to speculation that he might have opted for Liverpool instead of United as a youngster, suggest exactly that. The forward insisted he only ever wanted to represent United, implying he would rather stay put than join a rival.
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)
View 2 Images
He said 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."
Looking ahead, even if Rashford were not inclined to reject the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal, United would not allow him to join the former or Manchester City, given their intense rivalry.
Rashford signed for his beloved Red Devils aged seven and enjoyed a fairytale debut as an 18-year-old, netting twice against Arsenal back in 2016. He went on to become a star player at Old Trafford, netting 138 goals in 426 appearances.
His loan exit to Aston Villa, and then to Barcelona, came after his falling out with then-head coach Ruben Amorim.