Marcus Rashford remains highly unlikely to make a return to Manchester United despite the recent sacking of former head coach Ruben Amorim, with fresh reports clarifying that his temporary exit from Old Trafford had little to do with the Portuguese manager.
The England international completed a loan move to Spanish giants Barcelona last summer, a decision that surprised many fans but has since proven to be a productive switch for the forward.
Since arriving in Spain, Rashford has delivered an impressive campaign, contributing seven goals and 11 assists across all competitions, while playing a key role in Barcelona’s domestic and European ambitions.
Although his form has dipped slightly in recent weeks — managing just one assist in his last six La Liga appearances — sources close to the club maintain that his overall performances have been rated positively by Barcelona’s technical team.
Hierarchy, not Amorim, made the decision
According to a report by The Sun, Rashford’s loan move was not a direct consequence of tensions with Amorim, as widely speculated at the time.
Instead, the decision was reportedly taken by Manchester United’s senior hierarchy as part of a broader squad restructuring strategy aimed at balancing finances and refreshing the team.
Rashford was not alone in this process, as the likes of Rasmus Højlund, André Onana and Jadon Sancho were also affected by executive-level decisions during the same period.
As a result, Amorim’s departure has not triggered any change in United’s stance, with club officials said to have no immediate plans to recall Rashford during the January transfer window.
Rashford keen on Barcelona future
Rashford has openly spoken about his happiness at Barcelona, making it clear that he would welcome the opportunity to remain at the club beyond his loan spell.
The forward praised the club’s winning mentality, structure, and ambition, describing it as an ideal environment for a player focused on success at the highest level.
“What I want is to stay at Barca. It’s the ultimate goal,” Rashford said in a recent interview. “The purpose is to win. Barca is a huge, fantastic club, built to win titles.”
He also revealed that he has settled comfortably both on and off the pitch, crediting teammates and staff for helping him adapt quickly to life in Spain.
Tension during Amorim era
During his time under Amorim at Manchester United, Rashford’s commitment and attitude were frequently questioned by the former manager.
At one point, Amorim made headlines after stating he would rather select the club’s then 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than play Rashford if minimum standards were not being met.
Those comments further strained the relationship between player and coach, fueling speculation that Rashford’s long-term future at Old Trafford was already in doubt regardless of managerial changes.
Eyes on silverware in Spain
For now, Rashford’s focus remains firmly on success with Barcelona as they continue their pursuit of trophies this season.
The Catalan side are set to face Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup, followed by crucial fixtures against Real Sociedad in La Liga and Slavia Praha in the Champions League.
Barcelona currently sit four points clear at the top of the La Liga table, a position that reinforces Rashford’s belief that his move has placed him in a stronger environment to compete for major honours.
With momentum building and confidence high, the forward appears determined to make the most of his time in Spain, even as questions over his Manchester United future continue to linger.