Marcus Rashford wants Manchester United exit despite return hopes

Marcus Rashford remains determined to leave Manchester United, according to the Mirror, despite signs that new manager Michael Carrick is open to reintegrating him into the first-team squad.

The 28-year-old forward is said to favour a move away from Old Trafford as he looks to revive his career at another club after a difficult 18 months with Manchester United. The report describes the relationship between Rashford and the club as extremely tense, although the player believes there is still enough time during the summer transfer window to negotiate a move elsewhere.

Rashford’s future has remained uncertain since he was left out of the Manchester United squad by then-manager Ruben Amorim towards the end of 2024. Amorim reportedly took that decision because of Rashford’s attitude in training and his failure to follow tactical instructions.

The England international joined Aston Villa on loan in February 2025 and regained his form under manager Unai Emery. He then spent the entire 2025-26 season with Barcelona, where his performances improved further and helped Hansi Flick’s side win the Spanish league title.

Rashford contributed to 28 goals in all competitions during his time at Barcelona, including five goals and four assists in the Champions League.

That successful campaign appeared likely to lead to a permanent move to the Catalan club. However, Barcelona unexpectedly decided against paying the £26m required to sign him permanently, forcing Rashford to reassess his options during the current summer transfer window.

The forward has been linked with clubs in Turkey, Germany, Italy and Saudi Arabia. Several Premier League sides are also understood to be interested in signing him before the transfer market closes in September.

Attention has now turned to Carrick’s position and whether he can persuade Rashford to remain at Manchester United. Carrick appears to have welcomed the player back into the group after training resumed and confirmed that Rashford would take part in the club’s forthcoming training camp in Dublin.

“This week we have the whole team in Dublin. We will travel directly there and spend a few days with the entire group back together. Marcus is part of that,” Carrick said.

That development has increased the possibility of Rashford being fully reintegrated into the Manchester United squad. The prospect was strengthened further when he was given the number 14 shirt, a move seen as a significant symbol of the confidence the club has placed in him.

Rashford could offer Manchester United a solution on the left wing or provide an additional attacking option as a central forward behind Benjamin Sesko. He could feature against Hull City in Manchester United’s opening Premier League fixture of the season on Saturday, 22 August.

Despite those indications that he could remain at Old Trafford, Rashford’s long-term future is not expected to become clear until the transfer window closes at the beginning of next month.

His current Manchester United contract runs until the summer of 2028. That leaves him with two principal options: stay until the end of the deal and leave as a free agent, or use the next season to rediscover his best form and attract renewed interest from other clubs, with the aim of securing the move he wants in 2027.