Manchester United have made no secret of their desire to get Marcus Rashford’s eye-watering £325,000-per-week salary off their wage bill this summer.
The England international spent last season on loan at Barcelona, but they have rejected the opportunity to sign him on a permanent deal.
Rashford is currently with the England squad at the World Cup, but will officially become a United player again on July 1.
The 28-year-old will be eager to help the Three Lions justify their status as one of the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the trophy this summer.
The sportsbooks featured on www.cacuocwc2026.com rate England as 7/1 shots to end their sixty-year wait to win the World Cup.
Rashford will hope his efforts at the tournament either persuade United that he still has a future at the club or attract interest from elsewhere.
Could United backtrack on Rashford?
Rashford’s last appearance for United was against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on December 12, 2024.
He was woeful on that occasion and subsequently fell out of favour under then-manager Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese placed Rashford in his ‘bomb squad‘ alongside Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.
While United have shifted that underperforming quartet off their books, Rashford still has two years left on his contract at Old Trafford.
New rules introduced by FIFA mean players who are exiled from the main group can demand to be released and have their contracts paid up.
If United cannot find any takers for Rashford this summer, they will need to reintegrate him into the first team set-up.
Manager Michael Carrick has indicated that he would be happy to work with Rashford, but co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants him out of the club.
Unfortunately for Ratcliffe, potential suitors for the England international are thin on the ground.
World Cup puts Rashford in the shop window
Rashford bagged 14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances for Barcelona last season, but they decided not to take up their option to sign him.
Other clubs may now look at their decision to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United for £69.3 million and ask themselves ‘why?’
Barca could have signed Rashford for £26m, so opting to head down a different route undoubtedly raises significant questions.
Rashford’s attitude has repeatedly been criticised, and may have contributed to the La Liga club’s refusal to sign him permanently.
United have reportedly set a £40m asking price for Rashford, which suitors may feel is excessive when considering the risks involved.
Rashford has just won the Spanish title with Barcelona and reached the last eight of the Champions League, so he will believe he can still perform at the top level.
However, he would rather stay at United than join another Premier League club, which significantly narrows his options for a move.
Having said that, interest from English clubs would likely be thin on the ground. He previously had a spell on loan at Aston Villa, and they rejected the chance to sign him.
None of the other big clubs will be in the market for a soon-to-be 29-year-old who not only has a lot to prove but would also be expensive.
With a return to La Liga looking unlikely and Rashford resistant to overtures from Saudi Pro League clubs, his future remains up in the air.
United will be hoping that strong performances at the World Cup could generate increased interest from elsewhere and help them get Rashford off their books.
