Manchester United's Marcus Rashford stance appears to have softened as they try to edge the forwards towards the exit door this summer. Michael Carrick is hoping to build a squad that can compete for one of the top two or three spots in the Premier League next season while also putting together a solid Champions League run.
The Red Devils have started building their squad, snapping up Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos so far, and work is ongoing to add another midfielder, a left-back and possibly a forward. Carrick will get money to spend this summer, but United are said to want to trim their wage bill, which they can do by selling just one player.
Rashford, who spent last season on loan with Barcelona, earns more than £300,000-per-week, and his wage actually increased this summer. The England forward has been heavily linked with an exit, but there has been little movement so far, leading to a softer stance.
Carrick offers olive branch to Rashford
Marcus Rashford in action for EnglandMarty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Carrick will now welcome Rashford back for pre-season when the England forward has returned from his holidays following his World Cup participation.
"Rashford is going to restart the pre-season with Man United," said Romano. "My understanding is that Michael Carrick is really looking forward to that moment. So Carrick wants to try to work with Marcus Rashford, wants to have the opportunity to reunite with Marcus Rashford. He knows the player, and wants to have a good connection at the beginning of the season. And then let's see what happens if a good proposal arrives for United and for Rashford, he can still leave the club from now to the end of the season.
"Otherwise, he will have a chance to be part of the Carrick squad and be part of the Manchester United team for the upcoming season."
Rashford's may still have options this summer
Marcus Rashford
Rashford doesn't appear to have many options at the moment, but that doesn't mean there won't be come the end of the summer. The forward could yet receive an offer from Barcelona despite the fact the Catalan club passed up their option to buy on the back of last season's impressive loan spell.
Barca did not activate the option due to concentrating on some of their other business, which included the signing of Karim Adeyemi, and they continue to pursue Atletico Madrid superstar Julian Alvarez. Should they fail in that pursuit, which seems more likely than not at this stage, Atletico could circle back for Rashford, as reported in Spain. Other clubs could also pop up before the summer is over.
Meanwhile, United have a wage problem with Rashford, and even if the 'outstanding' England forward does impress Carrick, it's likely they will need to convince the forward to reduce his wage if they want to contemplate keeping him, especially with the spending we are likely to see at Old Trafford this summer.
Benjamin Sesko (Man Utd) Related
Man Utd Players Stunned by Benjamin Sesko's Body Transformation Over Summer
The Slovenian has evidently been in the gym.