Michael Carrick has told those around him he would like Marcus Rashford back at Manchester United if he is appointed permanent manager, a development that has complicated an already tangled transfer picture.

Reports indicate Barcelona are leaning towards triggering a purchase option they hold on the 28-year-old, but The Telegraph says Carrick would explore a reunion with the England international if he is allowed to stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer. The final call, however, will belong to Rashford. If he does not want to stay with Barcelona, he simply will not.

Rashford left United after 426 appearances following a breakdown in his relationship with the club. The need for a fresh start contributed to his exit and United were willing to move on from a player who perhaps blew hot-and-cold one too many times. That context, plus the fact that Amorim drove United’s efforts to offload him, makes a comeback complicated. Amorim was relieved of his duties, and the change in coaching staff has reopened the possibility in principle, though the reunion feels unlikely in practice.

“Of course what I want is to stay at Barça,” Rashford told SPORT in December, two weeks before Amorim was relieved of his duties. We have not heard from Rashford since.

Barcelona secured Rashford in the summer for an affordable fee of €30 million, a deal that exploited United’s position at the time. The forward has justified that outlay with a major impact on Hansi Flick’s side this season. Even so, Barcelona appear to believe United’s negotiating weakness, largely linked to Rashford’s large wages, leaves room to seek an additional discount.

Ultimately the situation reduces to a few simple truths: Barcelona have the first option, United’s stance during last summer leaves them with limited leverage, and Rashford’s preference will decide whether any reunion is pursued. For now, Carrick’s preference is clear, but Rashford’s commitment to Barcelona appears to make a return improbable.

Manchester United’s commercial backdrop is stark: the club remains partnered with adidas until at least 2035 after last year’s renewal for another decade and £900 million. The brand’s slogan ‘Impossible is Nothing’ feels unusually apt if United were to complete a dramatic turnaround and finish 2025–26 as Premier League champions.

The context is clear. Michael Carrick succeeded Ruben Amorim as interim head coach and faced two of the toughest early tests possible in Manchester City (H) and Arsenal (A). The previous caretaker, Darren Fletcher, had not produced an immediate lift in league form, drawing his Premier League debut with Burnley and losing to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup. Amorim’s tenure had not delivered sustained momentum either.

Carrick has not radically overhauled tactics. Instead he has narrowed the instructions, leaning into a simple, fast, direct approach that emphasises width and the club’s traditional ‘DNA’. That focus restored belief and produced consecutive wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, results that suggest United can now compete with anyone in the division.

The immediate challenge is consistency. Carrick has already matched Amorim’s first-time achievement of back-to-back league wins, and the points gap to leaders Arsenal has fallen from 17 to 12 in under two weeks. With 15 league fixtures remaining and no other competitions to split attention, there is a practical opportunity to close that deficit.

Historical perspective underlines the possibility. The Premier League record comeback is 13 points; United have erased 12-point gaps twice before in 1992–93 and 1995–96. Recent examples also show radical seasonal turnarounds are feasible.

A specific squad development has helped: Patrick Dorgu, signed from Lecce, has been important to Carrick’s approach. The Denmark international operated further forward toward the end of the Amorim era and contributed decisive goals in the victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, offering the width and directness Carrick demands. The Gareth Bale comparisons in style and impact are noted in that light.

What remains is the longer test: repeating those performances across the remaining schedule and converting renewed belief into sustained form.

Fixtures remaining (selected):
Feb. 1, 2026 Man Utd vs. Fulham
Feb. 7, 2026 Man Utd vs. Tottenham
Feb. 23, 2026 Everton vs. Man Utd
March 4, 2026 Newcastle vs. Man Utd
May 2, 2026 Man Utd vs. Liverpool
May 24, 2026 Brighton vs. Man Utd

Manchester United now face a defined task: identify a long-term midfield partner or successor following Casemiro’s exit. The club has long wanted fresh energy in the engine room, preferably a player at a different stage of his career to replace the Brazilian, and strengthening that area is expected to be a summer priority despite uncertainty over the next permanent manager.

Several names have circulated and will draw increased attention. First is Carlos Baleba. United’s admiration for Baleba is well documented. The Red Devils made attempts to sign the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder last summer before being warned off pursuing his services. The Cameroon international turned heads after an exceptional 2024–25 campaign when he helped fill the gap left by the 2023 departure of Moisés Caicedo to Chelsea with aggressive defensive play and constant energy. Baleba remains linked with United, with reports that the club explored a potential signing in January, but his price tag of over £100 million ($137.8 million) would be a major barrier despite wage savings once Casemiro’s reported £350,000 weekly salary is removed.

Adam Wharton is another prospect. The 21-year-old has risen rapidly at Crystal Palace and earned links with Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and United. Wharton’s passing range, technical quality and positional intelligence have been notable, but he is probably not a like-for-like Casemiro replacement. He would likely flourish alongside a more reserved midfielder rather than replicate defensive output alone.

Elliot Anderson has broken through at Nottingham Forest after a PSR-enforced move from Newcastle United. The 23-year-old combines energy, defensive awareness and distribution and has attracted significant interest; such attributes would command a sizeable fee.

Rúben Neves has been linked repeatedly to United since his rise at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Now at Al Hilal with a contract due to expire in summer, a fee of around £20 million has been suggested. He would not be an out-and-out Casemiro clone but would add Premier League experience and technical quality.

Éderson, the 26-year-old Atalanta midfielder, impressed during Atalanta’s Europa League run and remains a press resistant, energetic operator with 18 months left on his contract. Finally, Angelo Stiller, 24, has been linked with the Premier League after playing a key role in VfB Stuttgart’s resurgence, including a return to the Champions League and a DFB Pokal triumph.