Man Utd may have to change plans for two players after Marcus Rashford return

Marcus Rashford is set to return to Manchester United's first-team squad after Barcelona failed to activate a £26m permanent transfer clause

Marcus Rashford's return to the Manchester United first-team squad could have significant implications for both Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha. It has been a deeply frustrating summer for the Reds Devils' homegrown talent.

The winger's coveted switch to Barcelona appears increasingly unlikely to come to fruition after the Catalan club failed to trigger a £26million clause in last campaign's loan agreement to secure his permanent transfer. United are seeking alternative permanent suitors, with Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur amongst the clubs reportedly in the frame.

The club are keen to offload his £325,000-a-week wages in order to safeguard their newly implemented pay structure. Yet with no permanent deal for the winger on the horizon, United could find themselves having little choice but to cut their losses and send him out on loan once more before the window shuts.

Alternatively, United may have to concede they cannot permanently remove his wages from the books and bring him back into the first-team fold. There will be optimism at Old Trafford in that scenario that Carrick could unlock the best from the England international, much as he did with numerous players during his interim tenure last season.

However, his reintegration into United's squad as another left-wing option will undoubtedly affect several key figures in Carrick's setup.

Dorgu is one such player. The Danish wing-back found himself without a natural role in United's setup after Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 formation was abandoned under Carrick.

Yet the 21-year-old demonstrated real potential in Rashford's left-wing berth, delivering eye-catching displays in memorable victories against Manchester City and Arsenal. The question remains whether he would be content with a reduced role having enjoyed so much game time under Carrick last term.

Rashford's comeback could equally affect Cunha, who served as United's primary left-wing option. The Brazilian made a strong impression with 10 goals and four assists, playing a pivotal part in the Reds' third-placed finish and their return to Champions League football.

Cunha was not recruited as a squad player, though his form last season looks certain to secure him a starting spot at the very least heading into 2026/27. One possible solution for Carrick would be to utilise the 27-year-old as a centre-forward — a role he filled on several occasions last term — with Benjamin Sesko still sidelined with a shin injury.

BBC Sport reports that Rashford, who has two years left to run on his contract, is "relaxed" about the prospect of returning to train with the United squad. The 28-year-old is also understood to have a far more positive relationship with former teammate Carrick, in stark contrast to his "confrontational relationship" with ex-United boss Amorim.

Rashford contributed 14 goals and 14 assists for Barcelona last season, claiming the La Liga title in the process. Following the conclusion of his World Cup duties, Rashford posted on social media with an optimistic message.

He said: "Keep believing in us. Our time will come. Now it's time for me to rest, reflect, spend some quality time with family and friends, and come back a better version of myself."