Why Marcus Rashford is still not in Man Utd's future plans despite impressive Barcelona form

Barcelona can trigger a permanent transfer for Rashford by paying £26 million ($36m). The Catalan giants are in a position to dictate what happens next, with all of the power in their hands. If they want to retain Rashford, then there is nothing that United can do about that.

The Sun claims that the Red Devils are happy for a product of their fabled academy system to remain in Spanish football, despite some reports suggesting that interim boss Michael Carrick would like to see a proven Premier League performer back at Old Trafford.

Carrick, who is calling shots in Manchester through to the end of the 2025-26 campaign, previously worked with Rashford while spending three-and-a-half years as part of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom teams. He is in contention to land a full-time role with United after overseeing four successive victories at the start of his tenure.

The Sun, however, reports that United had “no intention of recalling Rashford during the winter transfer window”. They go on to state that “Carrick gave no consideration to bringing back Rashford and is not thinking as far ahead as the summer as his contract is only until the end of the season”.

It is said that “nothing has changed regarding Rashford’s situation”, with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox still mulling over who to appoint as the club’s next manager on a permanent basis.

Rashford has not figured for United since December 2024, with the second half of last season being spent on loan at Aston Villa. He fell out of favour under former Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim and saw his No.10 jersey handed to Brazil international Matheus Cunha during the summer of 2025.

He was made to train away from United’s first-team squad prior to a loan agreement with Barcelona being struck. A desire to remain at Camp Nou has been expressed by a man who has 426 appearances for the Red Devils and 138 goals to his name.

Rashford told ESPN when asked if he wanted to stay at Barca: “For sure. I'm enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player it is an honour. People forget this, but 23 years of my life was with Manchester United. So sometimes you just need a change. I think maybe this is the case with me and I'm enjoying everything.”

The Sun claims that United are “likely to be in the market for a forward in the summer amid a shortage of natural left wingers following the departure of Rashford and sale of Alejandro Garnacho”. Jadon Sancho also has no future at Old Trafford after joining Villa on loan and will become a free agent at the end of June when his contract expires.

Rashford’s deal in Manchester is due to run until the summer of 2028, meaning that United can demand a sizable fee for his services. If Barcelona do not meet their asking price, then somebody else will.

The Blaugrana are yet to enter his talks regarding the triggering of a clause in Rashford’s loan, but they have seen the England star - who will be hoping to form part of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup plans - reach double figures for goals and assists this season.

Hansi Flick has spoken of his desire to keep Rashford on board beyond the end of the campaign. The only sticking point could be if Joan Laporta loses Barcelona’s upcoming presidential elections and a new figurehead - potentially Victor Font - looks to take recruitment in a different direction.