Rashford Return Possibility At Manchester United Opened By Michael Carrick

Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has confirmed no final call has been made on Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United future, keeping a potential Old Trafford return on the table as Barcelona consider whether to activate a purchase option.

Rashford, who is on a season-long loan at Barcelona, has two years left on a Manchester United contract. Barcelona hold a 30m (£26.1m) option to buy, which must be exercised by 15 June, leaving all parties facing a clear decision point.

The forward has delivered strong numbers in Spain after leaving Manchester United’s first-team plans under former manager Ruben Amorim. Rashford was moved into Amorim’s so-called "bomb squad" group and then joined Aston Villa for the second half of last season.

Rashford’s output with Barcelona underlines the dilemma around a Manchester United future. The loan spell has brought 43 appearances in all competitions and 22 direct goal contributions. Only Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez and Raphinha have been involved in more goals for Barcelona this season.

Speaking about the situation, Carrick said: "There's decisions to be made on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation. But at this point in time, nothing's been decided. It will be, because it has to be at a certain point, but at this stage, there's nothing to say."

Carrick, a former Manchester United team-mate of Rashford, has led the club on an interim basis since January and remains a candidate for the permanent role. During this spell, Manchester United sit third, seven points above sixth-placed Chelsea, who host United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Carrick is concentrating on performance levels rather than contract questions as Manchester United chase Champions League qualification. Carrick said: "Whoever's here, I want to work with and help them improve. At the moment, it's this squad of players. There's obviously players on loan, and whatever happens with that later on will happen. But certainly, as a coach and leader of a squad, we want to get the best out of everyone."