Marcus Rashford’s future could take an unexpected twist next summer — a possible return to Manchester United — but only if manager Ruben Amorim is no longer at the helm, according to former United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen.
The English forward left Old Trafford earlier this year to join Barcelona on loan, after being cast aside by Amorim during pre-season as part of a group dubbed the “bomb squad.”
The move raised eyebrows, considering Rashford’s long-standing ties with the club he joined as a child and rose through to become a fan favourite.
Marcus Rashford’s revival at Barcelona
Since making the switch to Spain in the summer, Rashford has rediscovered his spark under Hansi Flick. The 27-year-old has slowly established himself as a regular in Barcelona’s lineup, delivering three goals and five assists in 11 appearances across all competitions, as cited by Transfermarkt.
His resurgence has also earned him a recall to England’s national team, a development that has delighted fans who had begun to question his confidence and form last season.
However, questions still linger about his long-term future. Rashford’s relationship with Amorim remains strained after their fallout in pre-season, and that tension could play a major role in determining whether he ever pulls on a United shirt again.
Will Rashford return to Barcelona?
Barcelona have the option to buy Rashford permanently next season for around €35 million (£30m/$41m), though they are not obligated to trigger it.
Given his recent performances, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Catalan side decided to make the deal permanent — especially if Rashford continues his upward trajectory.
Speaking to CasinoHawks, Meulensteen shared his perspective on the situation, suggesting that a return to Old Trafford is unlikely under the current manager.
“Marcus Rashford back to Man Utd? That’s a real personal choice, and things can change, you don’t know. I don’t think it would happen with Ruben Amorim, to be fair, because I think something must have happened for that move to be forced,” he said as quoted by GOAL.
“So I don’t know, but I think Marcus, and maybe Barcelona as well, would most likely want to see if they could make it a permanent deal because Marcus is 27 now, so he’s still a good age. Playing in Spain is different than in the Premier League. It’s not as demanding, especially with Barcelona having maybe 70% or more of the ball, which is a nice position to be in.”
What lies ahead?
Rashford’s situation remains fluid. If Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United comes to an end before next summer, the door to a dramatic homecoming could reopen.
Until then, the forward appears focused on making the most of his Spanish adventure — one that has already reignited the confidence and creativity that once made him one of the Premier League’s brightest stars.