Man United must not even consider a return for Marcus Rashford

Football’s capacity for melodrama is unrivalled, and few plot twists feel more tempting than the prodigal son marching back through the doors he once stormed out of. Yet if Barcelona decide against triggering their purchase option on Marcus Rashford this summer, Manchester United must resist every sentimental urge to re-embrace the 28-year-old academy graduate.

Rashford, currently on loan with the LaLiga title-chasers, has impressed at the Camp Nou, but the cash-conscious Catalans are stalling on the fee in a familiar game of brinkmanship. Should they walk away, United would inherit a player whose exit last winter was engineered by the now-sacked Ruben Amorim precisely because the winger’s appetite for the red shirt had waned alongside his form.

Amorim’s tactical blueprint, built on wing-backs and central No. 10s rather than orthodox wide men, was only part of the equation. Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho were all deemed surplus after attitude and mentality issues surfaced, replaced by the narrower, more industrious pairing of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Even though Rashford has logged minutes as a centre-forward, the Portugal coach concluded the Londoner’s heart was no longer in Manchester.

Interim boss Michael Carrick is reportedly open to a reconciliation, yet his authority is provisional; if the club opt for a permanent successor, Carrick’s preferences carry no weight in the next transfer window. Only if the former midfielder is handed the reins on a long-term basis would his stance matter, and even then the final call rests with a hierarchy determined to avoid another bloated wage bill populated by fading stars.

United’s current attacking unit, though lighter on pedigree, has displayed a conspicuous hunger that was missing during Rashford’s final months. Reintegrating a high-salaried, low-output forward risks re-infecting a dressing room only now rediscovering its competitive edge. A romantic reunion might sell a few shirts, but it would also undermine the cultural reset that shipped out the last wave of under-performers.

Barcelona remain overwhelmingly likely to pay the modest fee and retain a player who has fitted seamlessly into their title push. If they baulk, United’s best course is to facilitate an immediate resale elsewhere rather than entertain the mirage of a feel-good second act at Old Trafford. The storybook is closed; the club must keep it that way.