7 hours ago
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Marcus Rashford may have a route back into Manchester United's team after all.
Many suspect that the 27-year-old has played his final game for his boyhood club after he was sent out loan to Aston Villa in February.
Manchester United are in the market for another striker, have already signed Matheus Cunha, are targeting Bryan Mbeumo, and do not play wingers in Ruben Amorim's current system.
Rashford has not played for the Red Devils since December, when he dropped the bombshell that he is ready for a 'new challenge and the next steps'. In January, Amorim said that the England star 'has to change' to win back his place.
It is therefore hard to envision a route back to Old Trafford for reasons of personnel, tactics, or what has been said. But there may be a glimmer of hope.
Manchester United's club shop still allows fans to buy shirts with 'Rashford 10' printed on the back - despite not offering options for Jadon Sancho or Antony.
Marcus Rashford's shirt is being sold on Man United's club website for a minimum of £105
Is this a sign that Manchester United are leaving the door open for Rashford to play for them?
Ruben Amorim previously said that Rashford 'has to change' to regain his place at Old Trafford
It is that small detail - the fact they are flogging his shirt but not that of fellow outcasts - which suggests there could be light at the end of the tunnel.
If you want to add Rashford to the back of you're shirt, that will hit you in the wallet for £125 - and he may well not play for the club again.
No such luck if you want one devoted to Sancho. The winger, who was on loan at Chelsea last season, has lost his squad number, 25, in place of Manuel Ugarte.
Meanwhile, Antony's number, 21, stands vacant.
That said, one should be careful reading too much into this for Rashford. 'Garnacho 21' is also an option, despite Amorim telling the £70m star to look for a new club, as Mail Sport exclusively revealed.
Rashford's £315,000-per-week contract expires in 2028 and it is hard to see anybody being willing to shell out that sort of money every seven days for his services.
His dream is to join Barcelona and Manchester United would like to sell him permanently for about £40million, ideally before July 1 to fit into this year's PSR calculations.
If Barca do not make a serious move for Luis Diaz, it appears Rashford is next on their list.
Jadon Sancho and Antony - seen on loan at Chelsea and Real betis - are not options on teh club store
Amorim's system does not typically accommodate wingers and he is signing other forwards
Matheus Cunha became their first signing of the window in a £62.5million move from Wolves
Rashford appeared to regain his confidence while on loan at Aston Villa since February
Rashford's agent met with Barcelona director Deco in Spain at the end of the season and United want to move the 27-year-old’s £315,000-a-week salary off their wage bill.
His loan at Villa includes a £40m option to buy but there are no indications so far that they are going to activate that, despite him having impressive moments.
Villa could return for another loan as a transfer may be too steep for PSR parameters.
Earlier this month, Rashford posted a training clip of him running and jumping in a cardio session to hit pre-season in tip-top shape.
But with United having already wrapped up the £62.5million arrival of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, plus their interest in Bryan Mbeumo, Viktor Gyokeres, and Hugo Ekitike.
