Marcus Rashford has reportedly taken a fresh outlook on the possibility of a Manchester United return amid reports that Michael Carrick would like him back at Old Trafford.
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Rúben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United was his treatment of Academy graduates during his 14 months at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Kobbie Mainoo, United’s three most prominent Academy-made stars in the first-team squad when Amorim arrived, but all three suffered significantly.
Having scored the first goal of Amorim’s reign, Rashford was quickly ousted from the squad for, as Amorim claimed, not working hard enough in training, and was sent on loan to Aston Villa for the second half of 2024/25 and then Barcelona for the 2025/26 campaign.
Meanwhile, Garnacho was sold to Chelsea during the final days of the 2025 summer transfer window, while Mainoo didn’t start a single Premier League fixture under Amorim this campaign up until the head coach’s sacking in early January.
Rashford responds to Carrick’s United return request
Michael Carrick has been installed as United’s head coach until the end of the current season, but wins against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Fulham have now seen some ask the question of whether the 44-year-old could be United’s long-term solution to their head coach appointment problem.
According to reports from last month, if Carrick is appointed as United boss beyond the current campaign, he would like to bring Rashford back into the fold at Old Trafford, having both worked with and played with the winger under Jose Mourinho.
However, The Mirror have reported that despite Carrick’s desire to see Rashford back in United’s Red, Rashford has absolutely no intention of returning to Old Trafford, and has informed Barcelona of this decision.
The Catalan giants have the option to sign him for £26 million in the summer, and even if that option is not triggered, Rashford would reportedly rather join a new club than rejoin the United first-team squad. He also wants his future sorted before the 2026 World Cup, which starts in mid-June.
United have already moved on from Rashford
Ironically, United’s switch from Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation back to a classic 4-2-3-1 has left a gaping hole at left wing, which is Rashford’s favoured and best position. He scored 30 goals under Erik ten Hag from the left.
Read More: “I can reveal…” Fabrizio Romano explains Kobbie Mainoo transfer twist before Rúben Amorim sacking
However, with Matheus Cunha now the occupant of Rashford’s No. 10 shirt and the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Šeško, and Amad performing well across the front line, United have already moved on from the United Academy graduate.
Rashford is a world-class winger on his day, and in another world would still be playing at the club, but United are said to be planning to sign a new left-winger in the summer market, alongside two new midfielders and possibly a defender.
Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu had been fantastic on the left wing for around a month, including goals against City and Arsenal, before a ten-week hamstring injury cut his form short. United now have both quality and depth in attack, and Rashford’s career lies away from Old Trafford.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 14:00 pm (GMT) on the United View YouTube channel.