“Journalists” close to Manchester United say top officials insist that no one at the club – including interim manager Michael Carrick – has contacted Rashford about a comeback. At the same time, the message from the player’s camp is equally clear: Rashford has no intention of returning to Old Trafford and remains fully committed to Barcelona.
Rashford and his representatives are aligned with Barcelona’s vision for him, and the Catalan giants have assured the England international that he will continue at Camp Nou beyond this season, even if they are currently haggling over the price.
Read: James Rodriguez agrees with new club – makes a startlingly strange choice of club and league
Barcelona have a £26 million purchase option and we learn that Rashford is so determined to stay that he has even hinted that he will be willing to give up a portion of his salary to help reduce the overall cost of the transfer.
With two and a half years left on his lucrative Manchester United contract, such a gesture underlines how strongly he feels about continuing his career in Catalonia.
Manchester United are keen to avoid a scenario where Barcelona try to negotiate a new loan deal next season. Discussions are ongoing about how a permanent transfer can be structured, but Rashford’s attitude leaves little doubt: his future lies in Spain, not in Manchester.
Despite being happy to see United’s recent resurgence under Carrick, sources close to the striker insist that Barcelona is the only club he wants to play for going forward. Rashford is described as “very happy” with his life in Catalonia, both on and off the pitch, and there is no desire at all to return to Old Trafford.
For United, the situation is becoming increasingly clear. For Barcelona, the road to a permanent deal is open. And for Rashford, the message is unmistakable: he sees his future at Camp Nou – and nowhere else.
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Big money to be spent on Rashford replacement
TEAMtalk writer Dean Jones reports that Manchester United are already ready with Marcus Rashford’s replacement, with two top goals clearly on their radar.
Yan Diomande is a name that has frequented United’s radar. Indeed, there is a growing feeling within recruitment circles that the incredible RB Leipzig striker could be the first option United explore as a replacement for Rashford.
Other clubs who have enquired about the RB Leipzig winger have been informed that the Red Devils are at the front of the queue for the explosive 19-year-old striker.
Diomande, who can cost up to €100 million, has scored eight goals and made six assists in 21 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig so far this season, remaining one of the most in-demand talents in Europe.
Another name to keep an eye on in connection with this summer’s goals for United is Everton star Iliman Ndiaye.
The Senegalese international, who can play on both flanks but mainly operates on the right, has a combined goals/assists record of six this season in 20 appearances for David Moyes’ side.
His current market value is £39 million, according to Transfermarkt, although the Merseyside club will almost certainly charge more to sell to a Premier League rival, especially with the 25-year-old being under contract until 2029.
More Manchester United news: Goretzka hunt; Besiktas wants Bayındır
According to a report, Manchester United are in talks to bring Leon Goretzka to Old Trafford in the summer of 2026, but the club’s co-owners, INEOS, should be aware of the mistake the Red Devils made when they signed another midfielder from Bayern Munich over a decade ago.
Elsewhere, Turkish giants Beşiktaş have intensified their frantic search for a new goalkeeper and have now inquired about the availability of Manchester United’s Altay Bayındır, amid complications in their bid to sign Illan Meslier from Leeds.
Meanwhile, United need a player like Micky van de Ven to raise their starting eleven, according to Peter Schmeichel. We can confirm that the Red Devils are among the clubs showing interest in the Dutch star.
