Marcus Rashford's future is uncertain going into a World Cup summer, according to multiple reports. Barcelona are considering their options regarding keeping the forward on loan from Manchester United, having paid his salary in full this season. According to sources, Rashford's salary will rise to £315,000 a week next season if Manchester United qualify for the Champions League, which they are on course to do after reaching third place in the Premier League. Rashford has contributed 12 goals and 13 assists this season for Barcelona, who are nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and reached the Champions League quarter-finals before being beaten by Atletico Madrid. Barcelona have made a failed bid to renegotiate the £26 million fee with Manchester United, who are refusing to budge on the clause which expires on June 15. The World Cup kicks off in North America on June 11, adding urgency to the situation. The two clubs are set to step up talks after the end of the season.
Manchester United have the option of bringing Rashford back to Old Trafford, where he spent his entire career before joining Barcelona on loan last season. They could also negotiate with other clubs in the Premier League and Europe for the forward. However, it seems unlikely that Rashford would be able to resurrect his United career, especially after Ruben Amorim was sacked in January. Manchester United are trying to drive down their wage bill by offloading top earners like Casemiro and Jadon Sancho, and want to move Rashford's salary off the books. Rashford's salary dropped by 25% this season after Manchester United failed to qualify for the Champions League, but it could increase again if they rejoin Europe's elite. Head coach Michel Carrick has helped revive the United careers of Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, but was reluctant to be drawn on Rashford's future when he spoke at Carrington on Friday. According to Carrick, there are decisions to be made in time on certain things, and Marcus is in that situation, but nothing has been decided yet. He added that from his perspective, whoever is there, he wants to work with them and help them improve, and at the moment it's this squad of players, with players on loan, and whatever happens later will happen.
I just think there's decisions to be made in time, really, on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation.
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. I think to comment either way this stage is just not the right thing to do, because there's uncertainties.
Certainly from my perspective, whoever's here, I want to work with, make the best out of, and help them improve. So, at the moment, it's this squad of players, and there's obviously players on loan. Whatever happens with that later on will happen.
But certainly, as a coach, and as a leader of a squad...