Michael Carrick should not waste time trying to persuade Marcus Rashford to remain at Manchester United this summer, according to Alan Shearer. The Newcastle United legend turned pundit believes the forward has no desire to represent his boyhood club again.
Rashford's Strained Relationship with United
Despite coming through the Reds' youth system in 2015 and spending the better part of a decade at Old Trafford, the 28-year-old's rapport with the club broke down under Ruben Amorim's management. After losing his place under the Portuguese manager, Rashford moved to Aston Villa on loan for the closing stages of the 2024/25 season.
With Amorim remaining in charge at the beginning of 2025/26, Rashford then left for fresh surroundings with Barcelona for the whole campaign. While the England international flourished under Hansi Flick, the La Liga club chose not to activate their £26 million clause to secure his services permanently, opting instead to bring in Anthony Gordon in a £69 million transfer.
Carrick's Role and Shearer's Advice
Consequently, Rashford will head back to United following his World Cup commitments with the Three Lions this summer. Although there is a chance the striker could resurrect his career on home turf given that Carrick is now in charge, Betfair ambassador Shearer remains unconvinced that he wants a return to Greater Manchester.
Shearer said: "I don't think it will be difficult for Rashford to focus on his game at the World Cup because ultimately he has a contract at Man United, albeit they don't want him and he doesn't want to be there, but he has got a contract behind him so it's not as if he's struggling for cash."
"Things will get sorted. I think both may be playing a game. Barcelona may be testing Man United by refusing to pay what they want and then it'll get so late into the transfer window and Man United won't want him in their squad."
"I don't think it'll be at all worrying for Rashford. I think he'll be able to focus for England. After all, he is playing in the biggest tournament. I don't think that will be an issue at all."
"If I were Michael Carrick, I probably wouldn't try and convince him to stay at Man United because I think too much may have gone on before. I don't know the situation, but I get the feeling he doesn't want to be there."
"Too much has happened at Man United. I know they're under a different manager now, but it's the same owners. I'd be really, really surprised if he were to be at Man United next season."
Rashford's World Cup Performance and Future
It comes as Rashford delivered a standout performance during England's opening World Cup match against Croatia on Wednesday evening. The forward came on as a late substitute for Gordon, immediately making his mark by netting in the 4-2 victory at the Dallas Stadium.
Rashford has recently been linked with a host of clubs as uncertainty surrounds the next chapter of his career. Among English sides, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Chelsea and Villa are all said to have an interest in the forward, while Bayern Munich and Galatasaray are also believed to be keeping a close eye on his circumstances.
Rashford's current contract also contains a £40 million release clause, which any club with the exception of City or Liverpool can trigger. However, as Shearer suggested, some sides may opt to bide their time until later in the transfer window in a bid to secure the player for a reduced fee.
