Why Man Utd’s biggest young talent will be annoyed if Rashford stays

It’s been over 18 months since Marcus Rashford pulled on a Manchester United shirt, the Englishman last seen trudging off away in Plzen following a particularly muted Europa League display.

An omission from the subsequent Manchester derby suggested that all was not well under Ruben Amorim, even with the 28-year-old scoring three goals in the Portuguese’s first two Premier League games at the helm.

One off-field issue too many proved the final straw for Amorim, with Rashford having since been shipped off to Aston Villa in January 2025, before sealing a dream loan move to Barcelona last summer.

Hopes of staying in Catalonia have been quashed by Anthony Gordon’s surprise £69m Camp Nou switch, throwing up the possibility of ‘Rashy’ returning to Old Trafford ahead of next term.

Ten years on from his emergence onto the scene in the first team, is it time for a second act to begin for the former boy wonder?

Rashford return – negotiation tactic or genuine possibility?

For a fair few months now, the idea of Rashford returning to the fold has been floated, particularly with former teammate Michael Carrick confirmed as the new permanent head coach.

The deadline has passed for Barcelona to activate their €30m (£25m) buy-out clause, and with England colleague Gordon seemingly taking his place in Hansi Flick’s squad, Rashford will be back in Manchester by all accounts after the World Cup.

Perhaps there would be wisdom in reintegrating a player who recorded 28 goals and assists in all competitions for the LaLiga outfit last term, a return only bettered by Bruno Fernandes (31) back at Old Trafford.

It’s not as if United are exactly blessed with depth off the left flank or through the middle either, while Rashford has shown glimpses for his country in recent outings, most notably netting the clincher against Croatia in the opening group game.

That being said, do the club really want to keep one of their highest-earners on board, particularly after he endured a string of issues under both Erik ten Hag and Amorim?

There was plenty to criticise Amorim for, but his ruthlessness with regard to Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and co was to be admired, with United seemingly better for that raft of outgoings.

Maybe what INEOS have learned is that publicly utilising a so-called ‘bomb squad’ isn’t the best tactic for trying to shift players, however, with buying clubs able to offer low-ball fees as United made it evident they were so keen to sell.

Talk of bringing Rashford back into the fold could then be a mere negotiation tactic, a chance to better hopes of securing a premium for the player.

Either way, is a fresh start under Carrick really the best move? And what would the consequences be for those already at the club?

Carrington sensation should be fuming if Rashford returns this summer

As already stated, there is a nagging feeling that United need to strengthen on the left flank, with Mateus Cunha potentially better suited to a more central role, while it remains to be seen if Patrick Dorgu’s future lies at full-back or not.

Having a fit and firing Rashford as an alternative option would make sense, therefore, although a homecoming could block the pathway for those hoping to be the club’s next breakthrough academy star.

Indeed, the upcoming pre-season feels like a time when Carrick and co may get to enjoy an even closer look at teen wonderkid, JJ Gabriel, following such a standout 2025/26 campaign at youth level.

A word of caution is needed for a player still only 15, although the expectation is that a first-team debut will come sooner rather than later, after so much clamour last term.

As noted by Manchester Evening News journalist, Steven Railston, he is arguably “one of the most exciting talents in the world“, someone who could explode onto the scene before too long.

While not necessarily a left-winger by trade, the versatile youngster has operated on either flank in his academy career to date, as well as as a number ten or a centre-forward.

Like Rashford, there is a versatility to his game that is to be admired, with the precocious talent able to sparkle wherever he’s deployed, even at such a young age.

Voted the U18 Premier League player of the year, Gabriel scored and assisted 26 goals in the competition last term, while also starring at that age group in the run to the FA Youth Cup final, scoring three times in six outings in total.

The array of his finishes so far is almost frightening, able to terrorise opposition defenders with a blend of speed, trickery and lethal ball-striking.

Now, to suggest he is the answer to United’s long-standing woes on the left in the immediate future would be jumping the gun, yet it shouldn’t be long before Gabriel is potentially making his mark in Carrick’s forward line.

With Dorgu and Cunha already on board, would it be wise to potentially block Gabriel’s pathway even further by reintegrating Rashford, particularly with rival clubs already circling for the teen’s signature?

Rashford, a decade on from his senior debut, has had his time in a United shirt, it must be said, and for all his obvious talent, is that really a road that the club nor he need to go down again?

For most, the 138-goal speedster belongs to the past, while Gabriel represents the future. No decisions should be made that would potentially disrupt the 15-year-old’s rise to stardom.