Michael Carrick wants Marcus Rashford BACK at Man Utd next season - but there's a catch

Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on a season-long loan after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim, but his successor Michael Carrick is open to him returning to the club

Michael Carrick wants to bring Marcus Rashford back to Manchester United - if he is named the club’s next permanent manager.

Carrick has enjoyed a dream start to his time as interim boss, after replacing Ruben Amorim following his sacking. The former midfielder has only been in charge for two games, but has earned a pair of standout victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.

That has already led to speculation that Carrick could be handed the position on a permanent basis at the end of the season. And if that is the case, the Telegraph report that he would like to bring Rashford back into the fold at Old Trafford.

Rashford was ostracised by Amorim, who said he would rather play the 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, than the England international. He joined Aston Villa on loan at the end of the 2024/25 season, before making the move to Barcelona for the current campaign.

The La Liga giants have an option to make that deal permanent, with all signs suggesting that they will execute that £26million clause. However, Carrick, who played with Rashford during the final years of his playing career, still sees a place for him at his boyhood club.

The same report does state that the player himself would rather stay with Barcelona though, where he has scored nine goals and registered 12 assists so far.

Speaking after his midweek goal in the Champions League, Rashford admitted that the style of play under manager Hansi Flick has taken him some time to adapt to.

“I think for the front guys we have to put as much pressure on the ball as possible because the problem is when players have time on the ball to pick the passes and to see what our backline is doing,” he said.

“If they do have time then the backline have to adjust. But it’s our way of playing, it brings an intensity to the game. I think when we play at this intensity it’s difficult for teams to match us.

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“For me it takes a little bit of learning to get used to because you can’t let them rest on the ball. Whoever is closest to the ball always has to put pressure. So it’s a little bit different to what I’d done before. But this is the style of defence we play and when it works it’s really good.”

Flick has regularly heaped praise on Rashford and hinted that the final decision over his future will lie with Sporting Director Deco.

He said: "Marcus' performances have been really good until now, so we have to manage it, but it's Deco's job to do things for next season.

"We have to wait. We have months to go. For me, of course with Marcus we have a player on the top level, but also with our situation, and what I appreciate a lot from him [is his desire to be here]."

As for the January window, United look set to stand pat, not making any major moves with key departures also unlikely. Joshua Zirkzee had been linked with a potential return to Italy, but Carrick has said he wants him to remain at the club.

"Josh is just trying to work to get fit and get around the group,” he explained on Friday. “It has been great to have him back training with the group for the first time.

“That is as far as it goes, for me and for Josh. I am looking forward to working with him. That's it, nothing else has been needed to be said."