The Athletic has reported on the latest regarding Rashford, with the winger currently having no buyers and likely to start the season with Manchester United.
Reports state that last July, Rashford boarded a flight to Barcelona, becoming the first player from Manchester United's so-called "clear-out list" to actually leave. At that time, the possibility of him wearing his boyhood club's jersey again seemed slim.
Slim, but not entirely hopeless. This farewell might just be a "see you later."
Many variables could lead Barcelona to forgo the €30 million permanent buyout clause: Rashford's fluctuating form, Barcelona's financial difficulties, or a shift in strategic focus within the Camp Nou club.
Even after Rashford successfully completed his loan spell—contributing 14 goals and 12 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions and helping Barcelona defend their La Liga title—the club ultimately chose not to activate the buyout clause.
Barcelona's buyout clause expired at midnight on Monday. Now, after the England team's World Cup campaign concludes and Rashford completes his post-tournament holiday, he will return to Manchester United to participate in pre-season preparations.
Although several Premier League teams and European clubs are interested in signing him, Barcelona's decision not to activate the buyout clause has reopened the possibility of Rashford staying at Manchester United next season—something that seemed almost impossible under former manager Rúben Amorim.
With new manager Michael Carrick in charge, Rashford's prospects have improved significantly. The two played together at Old Trafford for three seasons, and Carrick later spent another three-and-a-half years working with Rashford as a coach.
When asked about Rashford's potential return in April, Carrick did not explicitly promise his reinstatement but kept the door open. "We will plan for several players, and Marcus is among them. Everything is still up in the air at this stage. In my opinion, whoever stays in the squad, I will do my best to support them and help them improve their level."
Sources close to Rashford indicate they have not completely given up on the possibility of Barcelona making another offer this summer. However, Manchester United is firm in its stance and will not accept any further loan proposals from Barcelona. The club has set a £40 million transfer fee for all potential buyers, excluding Manchester City and Liverpool.
From Rashford's perspective, if he remains a Manchester United player when he returns to Carrington after his holiday, he would prefer to see out the remaining two years of his contract rather than transfer to another Premier League team.
If Rashford maintains this stance and no team is willing to meet Manchester United's asking price, the likelihood of him staying will increase.
However, one cannot overlook the fact that Manchester United remains willing to sell him. The club's original overall plan was to loan him out for another season.
Rashford's marginalization at Manchester United and his loan departure, though rooted in Amorim's decisions, was not solely the manager's doing. It resulted from unified discussions by the club's hierarchy, with CEO Omar Berrada and then-Technical Director Jason Wilcox (now Football Director) both supporting the move.
Manchester United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe also agreed. Last March, when Rashford was on loan at Aston Villa, Ratcliffe expressed similar views in interviews with The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
Ratcliffe stated that it was "a good thing" for the homegrown academy forward to leave his hometown club. "I'm glad he's playing well. He's very talented, but for some reason, he hasn't been able to find his rhythm at Manchester United for the past two or three seasons."
Even after Amorim's departure in January, when news emerged of Barcelona's interest in extending Rashford's loan, the club's hierarchy maintained its stance.
Manchester United's transfer plans also leave little room for Rashford's return.
The team is pursuing West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen; they also previously pursued Antoine Semenyo, who would have joined Manchester United as an attacking player if he hadn't chosen to move to Manchester City instead.
Manchester United is also monitoring Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall. Once a left-sided player is signed, Pádraig Amorim will continue to play as a left-winger—Amorim started in that position in all three of his appearances under Carrick.
Regardless of whether the team prioritizes strengthening the left-winger or left-back position, both recruitment paths limit Rashford's opportunities, making it difficult for the club to justify his weekly salary exceeding £325,000.
Ratcliffe has publicly stated that it is neither realistic nor in line with the club's development needs for high-earning players to be unavailable or underutilized. In the 16 months since his investment, Manchester United has significantly reduced player wage expenditure.
Rashford is one of the highest-paid players in the squad. If he were reintroduced into regular rotation without a guaranteed starting spot, it would contradict the club's core principle of reducing wages and controlling costs.
Furthermore, Rashford has two years remaining on his contract, and Manchester United cannot trigger a one-year extension clause. This summer is likely the last opportunity for the club to sell him at a price close to his true market value; otherwise, he will leave on a free transfer in two years.
The cost of keeping Rashford is substantial. Although the club does not bear high transfer amortization costs, his weekly wage expenditure is significant.
Rashford's weekly salary is approximately £325,000. With Manchester United returning to the Champions League next season, wages will not be subject to the usual 25% reduction. Calculating only the basic salary without bonuses, and including the social security contributions the club must pay, the estimated annual expenditure is £19.4 million; the total for the remaining two years is approximately £38.9 million.
After qualifying for European competition, Manchester United must adhere to UEFA's squad cost control rules: a maximum of 70% of relevant revenue can be allocated to player salaries. To cover Rashford's annual salary, the club needs to generate approximately £26.3 million in additional revenue. The sales of Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, and Rasmus Højlund this summer have already freed up significant wage space; Rashford's departure would provide substantial additional relief.
All these factors suggest an eventual parting of ways, but there is no guarantee. No rule can force Rashford to leave, nor is there any certainty that other clubs will match Manchester United's asking price.
Industry insiders suggest that Manchester United's high-profile signaling of interest in selling Rashford over the past twelve months has backfired: potential buyers are now inclined to wait until the September 1st transfer deadline or drive down the price when Manchester United urgently needs to raise funds.
Although the club has set a £40 million release clause, Barcelona's previous offer of €30 million (equivalent to £26 million at current exchange rates) has anchored the market's psychological price.
This creates a third possibility: neither completely sidelining Rashford nor fully reinstating him. He will return to the squad this summer and may even play for Carrick's Manchester United at the start of the season, but the club will still allow him to leave if a suitable offer is received.
This situation closely mirrors Jadon Sancho's experience: in summer 2024, Sancho returned to Manchester United after his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, was reintegrated into the squad, participated in pre-season matches, and even played in the Community Shield before rejoining Chelsea on loan in late August.
Last summer, Rashford was the first to leave among Manchester United's "clear-out list"; when he returns next month, he will be the only remaining player from that five-man list still belonging to the club.
Manchester United is prepared for a lengthy transfer window, and Rashford's future will not be settled anytime soon.
Jetaelmnpr
8
yes rashford must return to Manchester United