Manchester United appear to have changed their thinking on Marcus Rashford as the summer transfer window continues.
The England forward was expected to leave Old Trafford after spending last season away from the club. However, with no big transfer offer arriving yet, the situation has started to look different.
Rashford is now expected to return to Manchester United for pre-season.
More importantly, new head coach Michael Carrick is reportedly looking forward to working with the forward.
That could give Rashford a fresh chance to show that he still has a future at his boyhood club.
The 28-year-old spent last season on loan at Barcelona, where he enjoyed some good moments. However, the Spanish club decided not to make his move permanent at this stage.
That has left Rashford’s future up in the air.
Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Carrick wants to welcome the player back and see what he can do before a final decision is made.
Michael Carrick wants to work with Marcus Rashford
Carrick is now building his Manchester United squad for the new campaign. The target is clear.
United want to challenge near the top of the Premier League and also make a strong return to the Champions League.
The club has already started making changes to the squad, with Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos arriving.
More players could still come through the door, with midfield and defence among the areas being looked at. A new forward could also arrive if the right opportunity comes up.
But Carrick does not appear ready to completely close the door on Rashford just yet.
Romano has claimed that Carrick is keen to work with Rashford once he returns from his post-World Cup holiday. That is an interesting development.
Rashford’s relationship with the club has looked damaged at times, and many expected his time at Old Trafford to be coming to an end.
(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
However, Carrick could now give him another opportunity.
The manager knows the player and appears willing to see if he can bring the best out of him. For Rashford, this could be a very important moment.
Rashford still has a chance to change his future
The situation does not mean Rashford is guaranteed to stay at Manchester United. If a suitable offer arrives, the club could still decide to sell him.
The player could also decide that a fresh challenge is the best option for his career. Barcelona remain a possible destination, although their position is not clear.
The Spanish giants did not take up their option to sign Rashford permanently after his loan spell. However, the situation could change if their plans in attack do not work out.
Other clubs could also enter the race before the transfer window closes. This means Rashford’s future is still open.
For now, though, he has a chance to return to Carrington and impress Carrick. That could change everything.
The biggest problem could be Rashford’s wages
There is one major issue that Manchester United will have to consider.
Rashford is reported to earn more than £300,000 per week, making him one of the highest-paid players at the club.
United are trying to reduce their wage bill while also improving the squad. Keeping Rashford on his current salary could therefore create a problem.
Even if Carrick decides that he wants the forward to stay, the club may need to find a solution that works financially.
One possible answer could be for Rashford to accept a lower salary. That would not be an easy conversation.
Rashford is still a player with plenty of ability and experience. When he is confident and playing well, he can be a major threat in the final third.
But United will want to see that level of performance regularly before making a long-term commitment.
Carrick could give Rashford one final chance
The biggest winner from this new situation could be Rashford himself.
Instead of being pushed towards the exit, he now appears to have a chance to prove himself to a new manager. Carrick could use pre-season to judge the forward properly.
If Rashford works hard, performs well and shows the right attitude, he could force his way back into the plans.
That would give Carrick another attacking option without the club having to spend a huge transfer fee on a replacement.
It could also be a major boost for Rashford’s career. At 28, he should still be entering the best years of his football life.
The question is whether he can find his best form again at Manchester United. For now, the door at Old Trafford appears to be open.
Rashford may still leave if a big offer arrives, but Carrick is reportedly ready to give him an opportunity.
That means the next few weeks could be huge. A strong pre-season could change the whole conversation around his future.
Manchester United have not completely closed the chapter on Marcus Rashford.
Instead, Carrick appears ready to give the forward one more chance to prove that he can still be an important player for the club.
For more Manchester United News, follow us on Facebook for instant updates directly to your phone
Discover more from MUFCNews
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
