Marcus Rashford expects to take full part in Manchester United's pre-season
The England forward, 27, spent six months on loan at Aston Villa last season after getting frozen out by United head coach Ruben Amorim but has returned to his parent club.
Rashford is among the players at Old Trafford with uncertain futures, also including Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho, with the club having to decide whether they should be included in preparations for the 2025-26 campaign and the tour of the United States.
With Rashford, United will make a decision on whether to re-integrate him into their squad after his successful loan at Villa where he forced his way back into the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.
They could also look to sell Rashford or loan him out again, which would need the player to accept terms to join a new club.
Rashford has no issue returning to the club and training fully ahead of the new campaign, according to sources close to the player. This is despite Amorim dropping him from the match-day squad last season.
United travel to the US for their pre-season programme after facing Leeds United in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 19. For their American tour, they face West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton in the Premier League Summer Series. Ahead of the new season, they will also play Italian club Fiorentina on August 9.
Rashford was interviewed recently in Spain where he has worked with personal trainers, with the forward hinting that he would like to play at Barcelona with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Rashford has been based near Marbella, where he says the weather and proximity to England makes it a good place for work ahead of pre-season.
United value him at £40 million, although Rashford's salary means the club may have to negotiate a deal should he leave. As reported by Telegraph Sport last weekend, United face paying players portions of their existing contracts to leave.
Rashford's representatives have previously spoken to Barca, who could favour a loan move. At this stage of the window, talks have yet to start over a summer move, with Amorim yet to make his intentions clear on what his unwanted players will do in pre-season.
Has this happened before?
Romelu Lukaku went on pre-season tour to Australia in 2019 ahead of leaving for Inter Milan later in the summer. He was training on his own, although the club cited injury for the reason he was not with the first-team squad.
Jadon Sancho returned to United last season after reaching the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund while on loan. He played in pre-season and featured in the Community Shield before being loaned to Chelsea for the season.
Where can Rashford go?
Rashford's recent interview suggests he would favour a move abroad, hinting at Barcelona being a preferred destination when asked about the prospect of being a team-mate for Lamine Yamal at the Nou Camp.
Other clubs are looking for wide forward. For instance, Tottenham Hotspur are looking at that position – but it remains to be seen who they will move for. Newcastle United were interested in Joao Pedro but he decided to move to Chelsea.
Has the door opened at Barcelona?
Barcelona have been looking at a wide forward and were interested in a deal for Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams. However, the Spain international has now signed a new 10-year deal with his club with an increased buyout clause, which would make a move this summer look unlikely.
'Nico Williams renews with Athletic Club until 2035,' read a statement from Athletic. 'The red-and-white winger commits to the club of his heart for the next 10 seasons, and his release clause increases by more than 50 per cent.'
Williams's previous release clause was previously around £50 million, with the prospect of a new club now paying £75 million. Rashford would be available for a much cheaper price, although Barca are also admirers of Liverpool's Luis Diaz.
Who else at United is in a similar position to Rashford?
Chelsea paid United a £5 million penalty after deciding not to make Sancho's loan deal permanent, so he is scheduled to join Rashford at Carrington on Monday.
Brazil forward Antony was loaned to Real Betis last season and they remain interested in having him again at the right price. Tyrell Malacia, who spent the second half of last season out on loan at PSV Eindhoven, also has an uncertain future. Alejandro Garnacho is also available for transfer.
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