Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are all plotting a move for Marcus Rashford – but Manchester United's hierarchy do not want to sell the 28-year-old to another English club, according to The I. That stance leaves the forward's future in limbo after a season-long loan at Barcelona, where he scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions, yet the Catalan club declined to make the move permanent for £26m. No other club triggered a £40m clause in his contract that expired earlier this month, with Manchester City and Liverpool the only exceptions.
Rashford, who has two years left on his £325,000-a-week United contract, posted on social media that he will 'come back a better version' of himself after spending time with family and friends. The Mirror's analysis suggests he needs to improve his work rate and focus to earn a place in Michael Carrick's first-choice XI, especially with Bryan Mbeumo considered a better option currently. New FIFA and FIFPRO rules mean United cannot relegate him to a 'bomb squad', so he must be part of the first-team squad if he stays.
“Rashford's future uncertain as Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs circle; Man Utd block sale to rivals.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea have already made a statement signing, completing a £117m deal for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers – the most expensive British player in history. Rogers, who made seven appearances for England at the World Cup, said in his announcement video: "I'm joining the biggest club in London." The deal was finalised in under 48 hours after England's semi-final defeat, with co-owner Behdad Eghbali and captain Reece James playing key roles. Arsenal were offered the chance to match the bid but declined.
For Rashford, the path back to prominence may require proving himself under Carrick. As one Mirror column put it, "the cold, hard fact is that Barcelona did not think it was worth paying £26million for his full-time services." Whether he can force his way into Carrick's plans – or find a way out of Old Trafford – remains to be seen.