EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThis isn't the summer Marcus Rashford or Manchester United had planned.There was an expectation on both sides that Barcelona would trigger their 30 million option to make his loan move permanent. Instead, the LaLiga giants poured more than 90 million into signing Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, and as things stand, Rashford will return to United next week to start his preseason preparations.In the absence of another solution, Rashford -- who still has two years left on his Old Trafford contract -- is set to be part of Michael Carrick's squad this season. If he's selected for the friendly against Leeds United in Dublin on Wednesday, it will be his first appearance in a United shirt since the Europa League tie against Viktoria Plze in Dec. 2024.While this was never part of the plan when he moved to Spain 12 months ago, both United and Rashford have to make the best of a messy situation.The path back to his boyhood club has at least been smoothed by Ruben Amorim's January departure. Amorim -- whose AC Milan side play United in Wroclaw, Poland, on Aug. 15 -- led the push to remove Rashford from the squad. It was a decision backed at the time by part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox.Carrick, Amorim's replacement at Old Trafford, played with Rashford under Louis van Gaal. The former United and England midfielder was also his coach when Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were in charge.If anyone can build bridges with Rashford, it's Carrick. The pair are understood to have a good relationship, and United are hopeful that if Rashford has to return -- he scored 14 goals in all competitions for Barca last season, his best return in a single campaign since reaching 30 under Erik ten Hag in 2022-23 -- he will do so as a better and more mature player.Part of Amorim's issue with Rashford was his behavior and attitude off the pitch. Aside from being two minutes late for a team meeting which cost him his place in the team for a game against Getafe in September, Rashford barely put a foot wrong at Barcelona. Coach Hansi Flick even said last week he will "miss" the England forward."I appreciate working with him," said Flick. "He is a fantastic player and a fantastic person. The team will miss him, I will miss him, but it is life."Life back at United will be different for Rashford. The No.10 shirt given to him by Mourinho in 2018 was handed to Matheus Cunha last summer.For most of Rashford's 426 United appearances since making his debut as a teenager in 2016, he has been first choice. But with Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Benjamin Sesko for competition, that may have to change, too.The fans might not feel the same, either. Many supporters are keen for the club to move on from Rashford. Others want to see him given a second chance. If he plays any part in United's first competitive home game of the season against Ipswich Town on Aug. 30, it will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets. It may well be mixed, although any lingering ill feeling will soon disappear if he starts scoring goals.Rashford's potential return creates other issues. Ahead of the summer window, United were hopeful of raising around 90 million through departures, with the 30 million expected from Barcelona was factored into that. Right now, the only significant boost to the budget has been the 44 million from Napoli to sign Rasmus Hjlund permanently.The club have explored deals for left-sided forwards and strikers. But if Rashford -- who can play in both positions -- has to stay, then there's little need to bring in someone else.It could also affect Patrick Dorgu, with debate internally about whether the Denmark international is best used as a left back or further forward. Rashford's future is another factor in a transfer window that has already forced Berrada and Wilcox to be flexible with their plans.With a little over three weeks to go before the transfer deadline, United remain open to offers for Rashford. Club bosses believe he's worth more than the 30 million agreed with Barcelona, but there's an acceptance that no other suitor is going to pay more. Several clubs have made enquiries -- including some Premier League rivals -- but United are yet to receive a concrete bid. That could change the closer it gets to the end of the window, but his weekly wage of �325,000-a-week is a major stumbling block for almost every club in the world.Rashford's representatives have played down reports of possible moves to the Turkish Super Lig and Saudi Pro League, citing his desire to remain part of the England squad.Rashford's form at Barcelona was enough to force his way back in under Thomas Tuchel and play a part at the World Cup. With a home Euros to come in 2028, he wants to remain part of the German's plans.Barring a late twist, the first coach Rashford has to impress this season is Carrick. Do that, and a comeback at United, which looked unlikely a year ago, could be on.
