Marcus Rashford has been linked with a sensational return to Manchester United when his season-long loan at Barcelona ends.
Marcus Rashford left Manchester United in the summer on a season-long loan to Barcelona, with a buy-option inserted in the contract. Rúben Amorim named the England international in his “bomb squad”, so Rashford was forced out the door.
The season before, Rashford spent the final six months on loan at Aston Villa, playing as both a left-winger and centre-forward. United’s former No.10 netted four goals and assisted five in just 17 appearances in claret and blue.
Despite reports stating Michael Carrick “would like” Rashford to return to Old Trafford if he were made the permanent head coach in the summer, it seems highly likely that Rashford’s time in red has come to an end.
Rashford scored 138 goals and registered 79 assists for United, with his best stints coming under Ole Gunnar Solskjær – with Carrick as an assistant – and Erik ten Hag.
Louis van Gaal debuted Rashford in the Europa League against FC Midtjylland due to injuries to other forwards, including James Wilson and Will Keane – they now play for Northampton Town and Reading, respectively.
Dalot prefer Martial over Rashford
Diogo Dalot signed for Manchester United in 2018 under Jose Mourinho. At that time, Anthony Martial was entering his fourth season at the club after leaving Monaco for approximately £40 million, with a Ballon d’Or clause also inserted as a potential add-on. He was that good.
Martial joined as a left-winger, before making the switch to centre-forward under Solsjkær. Throughout his United career, Martial was hailed for his impressive close control while dribbling, and technique while shooting. He formed a great partnership with Rashford, despite playing in a similar position.
“Rashford could be anything that he wants,” Dalot told Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube Channel. “But I put Anthony [Martial], and I don’t put Rashford because, in training, at the top, Anthony was a little bit different. And he could do everything.”
In response, Ferdinand said: “You know, Carrick said to me when he first signed that Martial could win the Ballon d’Or.” Martial never quite reached those heights, but his talent was undeniable when on top form.
Dalot continued: “In training, he could do things that you’d say you had to stop training. You know, those moments where you say […] you want to blow the whistle and say, ‘Okay, let’s go inside.’”
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Another case of what could have been
In 2025/26, Martial plays for Monterrey in Liga MX, following an unsuccessful stint in Greek football with AEK Athens. Martial has played 18 games for Monterrey this season, with one goal and three assists to his name.
That’s not what Martial was supposed to be.
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Martial was a player who would always get fans off their seats, who would go past full-backs with ease, who would score ridiculous goals that seemed almost impossible.
Had everything gone to plan, Martial would still be a Manchester United footballer – likely leading the line for either Solskjær or Ten Hag. But that wasn’t the case. And it hasn’t been the case for so many talented footballers at Old Trafford over the last decade or so.
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