Gary Lineker believes that Newcastle and England star Anthony Gordon does not come close to the talent of a first-team Manchester United player at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are currently fourth in the Premier League table and the Red Devils will return to action on Tuesday against West Ham at the London Stadium.
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Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Man Utd managers
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick as Man Utd managers
The Red Devils have built serious momentum for a Premier League top-four challenge after Man Utd’s turnaround in form under interim boss Michael Carrick.
Michael Carrick returned to Old Trafford last month and the 44-year-old United legend was appointed interim head coach until the end of the 2025-26 season.
United have beaten the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham in recent weeks after Carrick took his place in the Old Trafford hot seat.
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Ayden Heaven is challenged by Anthony Gordon during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Gary Lineker makes a powerful claim about Man Utd loanee Marcus Rashford amid his feelings about Anthony Gordon
Marcus Rashford has been linked with a return and Michael Carrick would want him back at Old Trafford if he were permanently appointed Manchester United manager.
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The 28-year-old is still on the books at the Red Devils, but Marcus Rashford has been spending the 2025-26 season out on loan at La Liga club Barcelona.
Rashford fell out of favour under ex-Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim in the 2024-25 season and initially spent six months out on loan at Premier League side Aston Villa.
Now Ruben Amorim has been fired, do you want Marcus Rashford to have another chance at Man Utd?
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim giving instructions to Marcus Rashford.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: “I want to start with someone who didn’t score, but got a lot of plaudits, and that’s Marcus Rashford.
“Because he’s been in the news a little bit, isn’t it? That there’s a rumour that Michael Carrick wants Rashford to go back, and the rumour was that [he] actually doesn’t want to go back.
“He’s pretty happy. I saw a post this morning saying, ‘Well played, Marcus, what a performance.’ If you look at England, who plays on the left for England?”
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Gary Lineker thinks Man Utd talent Marcus Rashford is clear of England star Anthony Gordon
Marcus Rashford was left out of Ruben Amorim’s plans after his return from Aston Villa and the United star was handed a lifeline after Barcelona made a move for him.
Barcelona signed Rashford from United on a season-long loan deal and the defending Spanish champions have the option to make his move permanent.
Are you worried Barcelona won’t sign Marcus Rashford permanently?
How does that change Man Utd's transfer plans?
Lineker has insisted that former Villa forward Rashford is a much better player than Newcastle and England winger Anthony Gordon in his eyes.
“I think at the moment, Rashford’s miles ahead,” he said.
“Anthony Gordon, but Anthony’s not had a brilliant season. He’s done well in the Champions League, Anthony Gordon.
“His numbers are not very good in the Premier League.”
United have included a clause that would allow Barcelona to make Rashford’s stay at the Camp Nou permanent in 2026 for a transfer fee worth £30.3m.
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