Marcus Rashford has been left out of Manchester United's pre-season squad to face Atletico Madrid in Stockholm as he completes a mandatory rest period following the World Cup. The forward is taking his three-week post-tournament break after representing England in North America, keeping him sidelined from early friendly preparations.
That Marcus Rashford would be seen again in an FC Barcelona shirt had already been considered unlikely. Now, however, his departure has been sealed for good.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has questioned the club's decision to spend heavily on Chelsea youngster Andrey Santos this summer. Ince believes the presence of Kobbie Mainoo makes the expensive midfield acquisition confusing, while also urging new permanent head coach Michael Carrick to help resurrect Marcus Rashford's stalling career at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford has been warned that he must issue an "almighty statement" to Manchester United supporters and staff if he is to have any hope of resurrecting his career at Old Trafford. After spending the last 18 months away from the club on loan, the England international is due to return to a squad that has moved on without him under the leadership of Michael Carrick.
Manchester United are exploring ways to overhaul their squad this summer, with Roma midfielder Manu Kone emerging as a primary target for the Premier League giants. As the Red Devils look to navigate a complex market, a sensational swap deal involving homegrown star Marcus Rashford has been mooted to help lower the French international’s substantial price tag.
Manchester United have invited Marcus Rashford to appear in the club's Amazon documentary, despite ongoing uncertainty about his future. The move has raised fresh questions over whether the England forward could yet remain at Old Trafford for the 2026-27 season.
It feels as though Marcus Rashford and Manchester United are back at square one. Both player and club must have been desperately hoping that Barcelona would take up what looked like a bargain £26 million ($35m) option to buy the attacker at the end of a productive loan spell in Catalunya in 2025-26, but, much to United's disbelief and anger, they turned in another direction. Now, Rashford faces limbo at Old Trafford.
With the World Cup over and pre-season friendlies beginning in earnest over the next week, it feels like the new club season is hurtling towards us at a rather alarming rate. With that in mind, managers are getting increasingly twitchy when it comes to transfers, with coaches around Europe keen to know which players they will and won't be able to call upon over the coming weeks and months.
Manchester United have identified Everton star Iliman Ndiaye as a primary transfer target this summer, but a move for the Senegal international is currently at a standstill. The Red Devils are reportedly unable to progress with a formal bid due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Marcus Rashford’s future at the club.
The pros and cons of Arsenal potentially making a move for Marcus Rashford have been highlighted to GOAL by ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere. The Gunners have allowed Leandro Trossard to leave Emirates Stadium, as questions are asked of Gabriel Martinelli’s future, with obvious reconstruction work to be carried out in the summer transfer window.
Marcus Rashford has rejected several lucrative transfer proposals from interested clubs as his £40 million Manchester United release clause officially expired. The 28-year-old academy graduate will now see any potential summer departure subject to direct negotiations with the Old Trafford board.
Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke were expected to make significant contributions to England’s cause at the 2026 World Cup, but Michael Owen has admitted to GOAL that said collection of wingers have “not really worked” out as planned. Thomas Tuchel is yet to settle on a preferred pairing of wide attackers, with no member of a star-studded quartet truly convincing when being given opportunities in which to impress.
