Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has been given the 'green light' to return to his parent club after a "route back" opened up
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Anoeta
Marcus Rashford has been offered a "route back" at Manchester United once his Barcelona loan concludes(Image: Ion Alcoba Beitia, Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen believes Marcus Rashford can resurrect his Old Trafford career this summer. And it's all thanks to interim manager Michael Carrick changing the environment back at the Theatre of Dreams.
The climate is a lot less tense at United compared to when Rashford left the club to join Barcelona on loan last summer. At the time, Ruben Amorim was still in charge and had made it clear he was not prioritising the England international.
But Meulensteen believes Carrick, who played alongside Rashford at Old Trafford, could transform the entire conversation. And the forward isn't the only ex-United star who could make a comeback after showing signs of progress elsewhere.
"It could be a route back for Marcus Rashford at Man Utd, definitely," he told BetGoat. "I think Marcus is still as ‘red’ as anyone because he came through the ranks as a young kid, and that will never go away, that will never leave him.
"It's the same with Scott McTominay. Both players have done extremely well wherever they've gone. But I think it was good for Marcus to have that spell away, first of all at Aston Villa, but now at Barcelona. It's a different culture, a different language, and a different style. Every week is different.
"The Premier League is different. It's so much more demanding than any league in the world. And I think he's enjoying his football, and that's the most important thing. He needs to enjoy his football."
Rashford, 28, has scored 10 goals and recorded 13 assists in 34 appearances for Barca this season. He's on course to help Barca defend their title in La Liga, while the club is also still in the running for the Champions League and Copa del Rey.
One can understand why Rashford may be eager to turn the move into a permanent one, with Barca retaining a purchase option for £26million. However, the Catalans have reportedly requested that figure be lowered, something that is unlikely to have gone down well at United.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford shakes hands with caretaker manager Michael Carrick after being substituted during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge
Michael Carrick would reportedly welcome Rashford back to United this summer(Image: PA)
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Rashford was all but exiled under Amorim, who sent the forward on loan to Villa in the second half of last season. With the Portuguese in charge, it seemed as though Rashford had no future at his boyhood club, but Carrick has a different stance on the matter.
"They still do well in the Champions League. But, yeah, things have changed," added Meulensteen, who worked under Sir Alex Ferguson in two separate stints as a United coach. "Things have changed at the club.
"There was something not right that didn't sit well with Marcus at that particular time at Manchester United, because you have to really ask yourself what it is that made him lose that desire to play for the club he used to love and grew up with. But things can change, and things can change for the better. But obviously conversations should be held to see where they lead."
For the time being, Rashford is on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury that looks likely to keep him out of action. The goal now will be focused on recovery so that he can get back to making the maximum impact in his bid to earn a permanent transfer this summer.
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