Marcus Rashford is increasingly likely to begin the new season at Manchester United after Barcelona rejected the chance to complete a permanent transfer.
The 28-year-old helped Barcelona win La Liga during his season-long loan, scoring 14 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions.
However, the Spanish champions allowed their £26m purchase option to expire in June. A separate £40m clause available to most other clubs also passed earlier in July without being activated.
BBC Sport now reports that remaining at United beyond the summer transfer window is comfortably the likeliest outcome for Rashford.
That possibility leaves both the forward and Michael Carrick with a major decision before the Premier League campaign begins.
Rashford market has failed to move
Rashford remains under contract at Old Trafford until June 2028 after signing his latest deal three years ago.
Manchester United’s official announcement confirmed the length of that agreement. His reported £325,000-a-week salary now makes finding a permanent buyer difficult.
Only a small group of European clubs could afford the wages and offer the sporting project Rashford wants.
Barcelona have already strengthened their attack by signing Anthony Gordon and are expected to add Karim Adeyemi. United have also refused to reduce their terms or approve another loan to the Catalan club.
ReadManUtd recently covered how Rashford’s expired £40m clause complicated his proposed exit.
Any interested club must now negotiate directly with United. Rashford would also need to approve the destination, having reportedly rejected approaches despite some offering more than his current salary.
Carrick changes the calculation
Rashford’s relationship with Carrick is very different from the one he had with Ruben Amorim.
Amorim removed the forward from his plans before sanctioning loan moves to Aston Villa and Barcelona. Carrick previously played alongside Rashford and briefly coached him during Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s tenure.
BBC Sport reported in April that Carrick had not closed the door on working with Rashford again. No final decision had been made at that stage.
The forward is understood to be relaxed about returning for training after his post-World Cup break.
ReadManUtd also reported that Rashford would hold direct talks with Carrick once England’s campaign ended.
Carrick does not need to guarantee Rashford a starting position. He can assess the forward’s fitness, attitude and tactical suitability before deciding whether reintegration benefits the squad.
A productive pre-season could also restore some of Rashford’s transfer value if United remain open to a later sale.
United return now looks most likely
Rashford is entitled to three weeks away following England’s World Cup campaign.
Unless his plans change, he could return as United begin their six-day training camp in the Republic of Ireland. Carrick’s side face Leeds United at Croke Park on 12 August.
His reception among supporters would be mixed. Some believe his Old Trafford career should end, while others view Amorim’s departure as an opportunity for a fresh start.
United also need attacking depth. Rashford can operate from the left or through the middle and returns after contributing at Barcelona and the World Cup.
His salary and the lack of suitable buyers may ultimately force a reunion neither side originally expected.
The decision no longer rests entirely on whether United want to sell. They need a club willing to meet their demands and a move Rashford considers right for his career.
Without both, Carrick may begin the season with one of United’s most experienced forwards back in his squad.
