Rashford not in Manchester United's long-term plans despite Barcelona form

Marcus Rashford’s loan at Barcelona is entering its final stages, and the expectation is that the club will trigger the purchase option. Manchester United are continuing to plan for the future without the 28-year-old forward in mind. Michael Carrick, who is in charge through the end of the 2025–26 campaign after three-and-a-half years working with Rashford under Mourinho and Solskjaer, made no effort to recall him in January.

Carrick’s short-term remit means he has focused on the immediate run of matches, while chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox remain involved in choosing the club’s next permanent manager. Rashford has not featured for United since December 2024, spending the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim.

He trained away from the first team and saw his No.10 shirt handed to Matheus Cunha before agreeing the move to Barcelona, where he has reached double figures for goals and assists and said: "For sure.

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