Marcus Rashford had just sealed England’s 4-2 win over Croatia with a well-worked team move, his first goal of the World Cup. But as he celebrated in Dallas, a deadline in Manchester passed without public fanfare: Barcelona had decided not to trigger the £26m option to turn his loan into a permanent deal. On 1 July, Rashford will officially return to being a Manchester United player on a £325,000-a-week contract that still has two years to run.
The timing could hardly be more awkward for United. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to lower wage costs, and Rashford is the club’s highest earner. Last season his number 10 shirt was given to Matheus Cunha, and the summer squad rebuilding plans are being pieced together in the belief he will not be part of them. Head coach Michael Carrick, who knows Rashford from his days as a teammate and caretaker manager, was asked about the forward in April. “Whoever’s here, I want to work with them and help them to improve,” Carrick said, adding that no decision had been made.
“Barcelona declined the £26m option for Rashford; he returns to United with a £325k/week contract.”
Yet the landscape has shifted. Ruben Amorim, the previous manager, placed Rashford in a ‘bomb squad’ and made him train separately. But last week world governing body Fifa and players’ union Fifpro announced a memorandum of understanding that allows any player exiled from the main group to demand release and have their contracts paid up. Ostracising Rashford this season is now off the agenda. United have said they expect him to return after his post-World Cup break.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has urged the club to reconsider. “It seems like Marcus Rashford has matured, the time away from the club may have done him the good he needed and maybe it’s cleansed both parties,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. “Is it time to shake hands and for him to say, ‘I’m back’?” The club have reportedly placed a £40m valuation on the 28-year-old, with several Premier League clubs interested. Barcelona are said to remain keen on a loan move.
United’s attention is also on Croatia’s Martin Baturina, whose stunning strike against England on Wednesday night caught the eye. Reports suggest United are one of several clubs – including Leeds United and Aston Villa – interested in the 23-year-old attacking midfielder, with Bayern Munich also making enquiries. For now, though, the question hanging over Old Trafford is whether Rashford’s World Cup heroics will force a change of heart.