Key Takeaways
- Michael Carrick says Marcus Rashford could still come back to Old Trafford next season.
- Barcelona must decide by 15 June if they will pay €30 million to keep the striker.
- Rashford’s wages would jump 25 % if United reach the Champions League.
Michael Carrick has kept the door open for Marcus Rashford to pull on a Manchester United shirt again.
Speaking before Sunday’s league clash at Chelsea, the caretaker boss said no choice has been made about the forward’s future.
Rashford, 28, is spending the campaign at Barcelona after slipping down the pecking order at United. The Spanish giants have until 15 June to turn his loan into a permanent €30 million move.
United chiefs will not renegotiate that fee, yet Rashford’s boyhood club still holds a two-year deal that would swell by a quarter if the team secure Champions League football.
“There are calls to take on several players, Marcus included,” Carrick told reporters. “Right now, nothing is final. It will be sorted in time, but we are not there yet.”
The interim coach, who replaced the sacked Ruben Amorim in January, played alongside Rashford and later coached him. He insists any returning star will get the same support.
“My job is to improve whoever is here,” he said. “Today it is this group. If others rejoin later, we will back them too.”
Off the pitch, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is pushing to trim the wage bill. Once Casemiro departs this summer, Rashford would become United’s top earner.
Carrick’s immediate worry is Stamford Bridge, where victory would stretch United’s lead over Chelsea to ten points. He must cope without suspended defenders Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez, while Leny Yoro missed the train south on Friday. Teenager Ayden Heaven may partner Luke Shaw or even Casemiro in an makeshift back line.