Manchester United travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, knowing that they have already secured their place in next season’s Champions League.
Kobbie Mainoo’s strike against Liverpool on Sunday earned the Red Devils a memorable victory against their fierce rivals, as well as confirming their qualification for the competition.
Despite this, it remains to be seen whether caretaker head coach Michael Carrick will be given the job permanently, with United said to be assessing various other candidates.
In the meantime, though, it has emerged that one of Man United’s most important players over the past decade has no intention of returning to Old Trafford.
As per TEAMtalk, forward Marcus Rashford is keen to stay in Barcelona next season, rather than returning to Old Trafford this summer.
Rashford is currently on loan at Barcelona (Photo: Sipa US/Alamy)
The England international is currently on a season-long loan at the La Liga champions, who have the option to sign the player permanently this summer.
Instead, Barcelona are hoping to agree another season-long loan deal for Rashford, before signing him permanently in the summer of 2027 when he will have just a year remaining on his deal with Manchester United, it is claimed.
Since joining Barcelona last summer, the 28-year-old has scored 13 goals in 46 matches, as well as providing 14 assists.
Man United are said to have taken the stance that Rashford’s time with his boyhood club is effectively over, partly due to their reluctance to be burdened with his £325,000-per-week wages.
The report claims that Premier League leaders Arsenal and German champions Bayern Munich are both monitoring Rashford’s situation, with the Gunners in particular keen to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad on the left flank.