Marcus Rashford is currently on course to return to Manchester United this summer after a permanent move to Barcelona fell through
Marcus Rashford could be back in Manchester United plans again next month
Marcus Rashford could be back in Manchester United plans again next month(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Marcus Rashford is currently on a post-World Cup break after helping England reach the semi-finals. At the beginning of the summer, a return to Manchester United looked incredibly unlikely. But then, Barcelona's decision to sign Anthony Gordon left Rashford without a clear exit route.
In Kansas, Rashford told reporters: "I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup, I wanted it (a move) done before. If it's not, I wanted it to wait until after. I want to be fully present in the moment. We're fighting for something special." Now the tournament has finished, there does not appear to be any solid interest in him.
Clubs could be holding their nerve, hoping United crack and agree to sell Rashford for an even lower fee than was agreed with Barcelona. However, the noise coming out of Carrington is that they will not budge. If no reasonable offers are submitted, United will welcome Rashford back and reintegrate him into the team.
Of course, plenty has changed since Rashford last represented United. Ruben Amorim has left, Michael Carrick has returned and the Reds are now preparing for life back in the Champions League.
Where Rashford fits into this new, healthier picture is unclear. Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu have shown they can perform on the left wing. The academy graduate even lost his number to the Brazil international before his loan to Barca was confirmed. United moved on but as the transfer deadline moves closer, his return becomes increasingly inevitable.
Nobody has ever doubted Rashford's talent, but the same cannot be said for his commitment, an issue he sought to address when speaking to The Players' Tribune back in 2024.
"If you ever question my commitment to Man United, that’s when I have to speak up. It’s like somebody questioning my entire identity, and everything I stand for as a man," he said.
"I grew up here. I have played for this club since I was a boy. My family turned down life-changing money when I was a kid so I could wear this badge."
That is everything United need to hear. But Rashford needs to prove he stands by those words.
His comments in The Players' Tribune came four months on from Erik ten Hag branding his behaviour 'unacceptable' after he attended a birthday party in the wake of a 3-0 derby day defeat to Manchester City. They were made a month after Rashford's ill-judged decision to travel to Belfast for a night out before United's clash with Newport County in the FA Cup.
The following winter, Rashford was dropped for the Manchester derby, along with Alejandro Garnacho. He did not play another minute for United after that. When asked about Rashford's absence, Ruben Amorim even quipped that he would pick his goalkeeping coach before picking a player who did not apply themselves in training.
United have been working hard to foster a good environment at Carrington in Rashford's absence. In many ways, Carrick is the last piece of that puzzle.
The last thing United need is for all that work to unravel. If Rashford stays, he needs show United how much he cares.