Marcus Rashford is poised to return to Manchester United ahead of the upcoming season, potentially featuring in pre-season matches starting later this month. The 28-year-old forward is expected to rejoin the squad at the end of this week alongside England teammate Kobbie Mainoo and Argentine World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez, both of whom also participated in the recent tournament.
Although Manchester United have not confirmed an exact timeline for Rashford’s reintegration, his schedule is anticipated to align with other players coming back from international duty. Rashford is set to attend a training camp in Maynooth, Republic of Ireland, next week as part of a three-week rest period following his final World Cup appearance. Should preparations proceed as planned, Rashford’s first match could be a pre-season fixture against AC Milan, managed by Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim, scheduled for the following Saturday in Wroclaw.
United’s interim manager Michael Carrick is unlikely to field Rashford in their midweek friendly against Leeds at Croke Park, Dublin, as the forward will have had only a few days of training by that point. Rashford’s contract with Manchester United has two years remaining, and there appears to be a mutual interest in continuing the partnership after a turbulent spell last season.
Rashford’s relationship with Amorim, who briefly managed United during the previous season, was notably strained. The forward’s last appearance for Manchester United came in a Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen in December 2024. In January 2025, Amorim controversially suggested he would rather select goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital over Rashford, shortly before the player was sent on loan to Aston Villa. Carrick, Rashford’s former teammate and coach, is seen as a figure who could potentially shield the forward from having to face Amorim’s AC Milan directly.
Financial considerations also influenced Rashford’s recent transfer activity. During a loan spell at Barcelona last season, Rashford delivered 11 goals and 14 assists as the club secured victories in La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Despite his contributions, Barcelona opted not to exercise their £26 million purchase option, reportedly due to Rashford’s £325,000 weekly wage demands and their preference not to negotiate a pay cut. Barcelona’s bid was around £13 million, but after signing England international Anthony Gordon for £70 million and Bundesliga winger Karim Adeyemi, the club appeared unwilling to meet United’s valuation.
Manchester United initially set a transfer fee of £40 million for Rashford, excluding interest from rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, with the deadline for offers set for mid-July. However, with Rashford avoiding a permanent transfer and refusing to accept a salary reduction, he seems likely to remain at Old Trafford. The club continues to pursue left-sided attacking reinforcements, but Rashford is expected to have the opportunity to re-establish himself as a key player in the Premier League next season.