Carrick leaves door open for Rashford return

Manchester United’s interim head coach, Michael Carrick, has stated that the club has yet to finalize Marcus Rashford’s future for the upcoming season. The 28-year-old forward is currently on a Spanish loan at Barcelona, following his reduced role at Old Trafford. Carrick emphasized that while decisions are pending, no official action has been taken yet.

Rashford’s loan at Barcelona expires in June, with the club holding the option to buy him for €30 million. The Old Trafford management remains firm on the terms of the deal, resisting any changes to its structure. Despite this, Carrick noted that Rashford’s return to United is still a possibility, as he has two years remaining on his contract. A 25% raise is contingent on United qualifying for the Champions League next season.

“Decisions will come, but at this stage, nothing is settled,” Carrick remarked. “We’re focused on the current squad, and any moves will be made accordingly.”

Previous manager Ruben Amorim, who departed in January, suggested Rashford sought a new challenge after being loaned to Aston Villa in 2025. Carrick, however, is in a distinct position as a former teammate, coach, and briefly manager of Rashford during Solskjaer’s absence in 2021. He highlighted the importance of working with players to maximize their potential.

Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe aims to reduce financial commitments at the club. When Casemiro departs this summer, Rashford is expected to become United’s highest-paid player. Carrick’s immediate priorities include the Premier League clash against Chelsea, where a win would secure a 10-point lead over their rivals.

However, the team’s preparations are complicated by injuries. Central defenders Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are sidelined, while Leny Yoro missed the squad travel to London. If Yoro remains unavailable, Carrick may deploy Luke Shaw, Noussair Mazraoui, or veteran Casemiro alongside 19-year-old Ayden Heaven in the match against Chelsea.

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