Marcus Rashford makes stance ‘clear’ on shock Man United return
Marcus Rashford has no plans to return to make a shock return to Man United at the end of the season and hopes to join Barcelona permanently despite Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the 28-year-old has made his stance clear and the club have no plans for a reunion.
Rashford has made 27 appearances under Hansi Flick so far this season and helped his side lift the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid last time out.
Barca are also on course to win La Liga amid a turbulent season for their El Classico rivals, which has seen Madrid sack Xabi Alonso following the Super Cup disappointment.
Having played a key role in the club’s success this season, both parties are keen for Rashford to extend his stay, and are likely to trigger his £26million option to buy.
Marcus Rashford to snub Man United return
Football Insider revealed last month that Rashford is eager to join Barcelona permanently despite suggestions their deal could be hijacked by PSG.
As a result, a return to Old Trafford is not currently in his thinking, despite having originally been forced out by the now-departed Amorim.
“Marcus Rashford decided he needed a clean break,” Brown told Football Insider.
“There were a lot of things that weren’t right at Man United as far as he was concerned with the structure of the club, and a lot happened behind the scenes.
“As far as those issues go, there hasn’t been too much change. Obviously the manager was the big one.
“I never thought the Rashford situation should have been allowed to reach the levels it did to the point where he was excluded from the squad and forced out.
“But that’s how it happened, he was happy to make that move away and join Barcelona, and by all accounts he’s very happy with how things have gone.
“He’s become an important part of the side, they want to keep him around, and he’s more than happy to stay if the opportunity comes about.
“Coming back to Man United is not part of his thinking now.”
Kobbie Mainoo backed to make Man United U-turn
Rashford is not the only Man United star who is considering his future after being forced out by Amorim, as Kobbie Mainoo was widely expected to push for an exit.
However, Football Insider revealed on 11 January that Mainoo is unlikely to leave Man United and will likely play an increased role under an interim boss.
The arrival of a new manager, albeit on a short-term basis until the end of the season, is being treated as a clean slate for everybody at the club including Mainoo.
Brown told Football Insider last month that Man United will block Mainoo’s exit in January as he remains part of their plans for the future.
Despite having been out of favour under Amorim, he is seen as a long-term part of the club’s plans having come through as one of the gems from their academy.
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