Marcus Rashford’s future beyond this season remains unresolved, with Michael Carrick acknowledging that a decision will need to be made while stopping short of revealing which direction it could go. The Manchester United head coach addressed the situation surrounding the on-loan forward, who is currently spending the 2025/26 campaign at Barcelona.
Rashford, who remains contracted to United until 2028, joined Barcelona on a season-long loan deal that included a £26 million buy option for the Spanish club. However, doubts have emerged over whether Barcelona will exercise that option, raising the possibility that the England international could return to Old Trafford next season.
“I just think there are decisions to be made in time on certain things and obviously Marcus is in that situation,” Carrick said. “But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided. And it will be, because it has to be at a certain point. But at this stage, there’s nothing to say.”
Carrick elaborated on his broader approach to squad management, making clear that his focus remains on the players currently available to him. “Certainly from my perspective, whoever’s here, I want to work with, make the best out of, and help them improve,” he said. “So, at the moment, it’s this squad of players. And there are obviously players on loan, and whatever happens with that later on will happen with that later on.”
The United coach was careful not to single out Rashford specifically, citing the uncertainty surrounding the situation as his reason for withholding a firmer stance. “I’m not going on the Marcus individual one, because I think I’ve already touched on it. I think to comment either way at this stage is just not the right thing to do because there are uncertainties, for sure,” Carrick said. “But for me, as I said, individual players who I’m able to work with in this part of the squad then. I enjoy doing that. And trying to get the best out of them.”
Despite the ambiguity over his long-term future, Rashford has made a meaningful contribution to Barcelona’s campaign. The 28-year-old has scored 12 goals in 43 appearances, playing a notable role in a La Liga title charge that has seen the Catalan club establish a nine-point lead at the top of the table with seven matches remaining. Barcelona’s continental ambitions, however, suffered a setback this week following their elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stage, where they were knocked out by Atletico Madrid.
The situation is further complicated by Carrick’s own standing at Old Trafford. The former United midfielder is currently serving as head coach on a temporary basis, and there is no certainty that he will be retained in a permanent capacity beyond this season. United are also understood to be seeking reinforcements on the left wing, a position Rashford has occupied throughout his career at the club.
Rashford’s departure from Manchester United in January 2025 came after a turbulent period under then-manager Ruben Amorim, during which the forward was left out of the squad on multiple occasions. His move to Barcelona was seen as an opportunity to revive a career that had stalled significantly in the first half of the season. Whether that revival translates into a permanent switch to Spain or a return to his boyhood club will likely be determined in the weeks ahead as the transfer window approaches.
