Marcus Rashford is poised to return to Manchester United's fold as the club prepare for a training camp in Dublin, manager Michael Carrick has confirmed, bringing renewed clarity to the forward's uncertain future at Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old's status at the club had been thrown into doubt this summer after Barcelona decided against triggering a £26million option to make his loan move permanent following a season at Camp Nou. Rashford's prospects of a lasting role back in Manchester had already looked bleak under previous manager Ruben Amorim, who had excluded him from first-team plans. He subsequently spent time on loan at Aston Villa and has not featured in a competitive match for United since a Europa League tie against Viktoria Plzen in December 2024.
That lengthy absence looks set to end soon, with Carrick revealing the England international will link up with his teammates in the coming days as United travel to Ireland for a training camp. The trip includes a high-profile friendly against fierce rivals Leeds United, scheduled to take place at Croke Park in Dublin on Wednesday evening.
Rashford will not be the only player returning from extended time off. Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez are also due to rejoin the group having taken holidays following their World Cup commitments with England and Argentina respectively.
"We have got a full squad this week in Dublin," Carrick said. "We fly straight there and have a few days where we have the whole group back together. Marcus is part of that, and Kobbie and Lisandro. We look forward to seeing them."
Rashford's financial situation at the club has also drawn attention in recent days. Reports suggest the forward, who earns £325,000 a week, stands to receive an additional £4million this season through a contract clause tied to Champions League qualification, should he remain at United. Separately, a clause permitting his sale to any club except Manchester City or Liverpool for £40million is understood to have lapsed last month.
Elsewhere in United's squad news, Kepa Arrizabalaga was pictured departing Gothenburg's Ullevi Stadium on Saturday without any sign of a limp or protective boot, walking unaided after being substituted. His manager had already stated the change was made as a precaution rather than due to injury concern.
The club did suffer a fresh setback, however, as veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton was withdrawn immediately after half-time in the friendly against Paris Saint-Germain due to a hamstring problem. United were already missing several key figures for that fixture, including Benjamin Sesko and Matthijs de Ligt, alongside long-term absentee Manuel Ugarte. Senne Lammens and Matheus Cunha were also unavailable after falling ill.
On a more positive note, new arrival Youri Tielemans impressed after coming off the bench to make his United debut. Captain Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui all returned to the matchday squad as well.
Following the Dublin camp and the meeting with Leeds, United will conclude their pre-season schedule against an AC Milan side managed by Amorim, with that fixture set for Wroclaw, Poland, next weekend. The Premier League campaign then gets underway for Carrick's side away at newly-promoted Hull City on August 22.
Based on reporting from standard-football.