Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has reportedly made it clear that he does not want Marcus Rashford back at the club under any circumstances. This decision comes despite Rashford's impressive form during his loan spell with La Liga champions Barcelona.
Rashford, 28, has thrived at Barcelona, becoming a key player and contributing significantly to their success. In 16 appearances across all competitions, he has amassed 15 direct goal contributions, showcasing his talent and revitalized form. This productive period followed a challenging time at Manchester United, where he struggled to find consistency under Amorim.
The possibility of Rashford returning to Manchester United next season had been a topic of discussion, especially given his upturn in form. However, Amorim has put an end to such speculation. According to Diario Sport, the Manchester United board held a meeting with Amorim to discuss Rashford's potential reintegration into the squad. Amorim firmly stated that he "does not want Rashford in his squad for anything in the world".
Amorim's stance appears to be rooted in his belief that Rashford does not fit into his tactical system at Old Trafford. Back in February 2025, Amorim stated that Rashford was unable to adapt to the way he wanted to play and train. He also alluded to the idea that some players perform differently under different coaches and that he simply didn't see a fit between his methods and Rashford's abilities. He said that he couldn't put Marcus in the position "to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it".
Rashford's initial drop in form at Manchester United led to him being loaned to Aston Villa in January 2025. That deal included an option to make the move permanent for a reported £40million. Prior to the loan to Aston Villa, Rashford had fallen out of favor with Amorim, with the coach citing Rashford's application in training as a reason for his exit. Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær even suggested that Amorim could have done more to help Rashford during his struggles.
Following the win against Fulham in January 2025, amid criticism and transfer exit links, Rashford sent a message to his Manchester United teammates congratulating them.
Barcelona now seem to be in a strong position to secure Rashford's services permanently. Reports suggest that Barcelona can permanently sign Rashford in the summer of 2026 for around €35 million. Given his impressive performances and integration into the team, they are likely to activate this option.
