Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick says no decision has yet been made on Marcus Rashford’s future at Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old forward spent six months at Aston Villa last season before spending this season on loan at Barcelona.
Rashford’s Old Trafford career was interrupted last season due to rumors of a falling out with former United manager Ruben Amorim. Rashford’s loan deal at Spotify Camp Nou includes a £26 million buy option clause.
But when asked if he should leave the door open for Rashford to play for United again, with Barcelona reportedly reluctant to make him a permanent player for that amount, Carrick did nothing to close the door on that possibility.
“Decisions have to be made in time on certain things, and Marcus is in that situation,” Carrick said.
“Nothing is set in stone at the moment. It has to be so it will happen at some point, but nothing is set in stone at this stage.”
Rashford has played 43 games for Barcelona, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists, but the LaLiga leaders’ recent instability has been a focus of attention.
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Marcus Rashford scored Barcelona’s equalizer with a stunning one-two against Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
The England international had a dominant performance in the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Atletico Madrid in the first leg, but was ruled out for the second leg.
Sky Sports News reported that United do not intend to renegotiate Rashford’s contract fee with the Spanish club, despite Barcelona’s indecision over his option-to-buy clause.
United believe they can receive a higher fee elsewhere if Barcelona reject previously agreed terms. There are no plans for a reunion at Old Trafford.
Carrick was also asked if United would be looking to strengthen their left flank in particular, and Carrick revealed that there were talks about adding more players. Sky Sports revealed last month that United are keen to strengthen their options ahead of a return to Europe next season.
Sky Sports News revealed last month that RB Leipzig forward Yann Diomande is high on United’s list of left-wing targets for the summer transfer window, with Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye also a player United are keeping an eye on. Carrick suggested there will be a time and place for concrete negotiations.
“Of course there are decisions to be made, but timing is also important,” Carrick said.
“Obviously, my situation is one thing and I’m just working through it. There are definitely conversations going forward because that’s a natural thing, but in terms of the actual ‘this is going to happen,’ it’s not something I committed to from a recruiting standpoint, but certainly there were conversations. It’s natural.”
