Barcelona opted not to trigger the €30million option to sign Rashford permanently following his season-long loan, a deal that expires this month.
The 28-year-old contributed 14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona, helping Hansi Flick's side retain the LaLiga title and win the Spanish Super Cup.
According to reports, Barcelona's decision was influenced by their separate move for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, a £70million signing that occupies a similar position to Rashford on the left side of attack.
With Barcelona stepping back, Rashford is now formally due to return to Manchester United, where he remains under contract until June 2028 despite having fallen out of favour under previous manager Ruben Amorim.
Carrick has been in regular contact with the England winger throughout the season and has sounded out senior members of United's squad about the prospect of a reunion.
That outreach has reportedly been well received, with feedback from the dressing room described as positive regarding a potential Rashford return.
Rashford, an Old Trafford academy graduate, previously scored 87 goals in 287 appearances for United across nine years in the first team before his relationship with Amorim deteriorated.
He spent time on loan at Aston Villa before his move to Barcelona last summer, a stint that was widely seen as a successful platform for rebuilding his reputation.
Carrick's interest is understood to stem partly from a personal connection between the pair, having played alongside Rashford during the early years of the forward's first-team career under Louis van Gaal.
Barcelona have indicated they remain open to alternative arrangements, including a further loan, should Manchester United be willing to reopen discussions before the transfer window progresses.
For now, though, Rashford is set to return to Carrington once his commitments with England's World Cup squad are complete, with his immediate future resting on decisions still to be made by United's hierarchy.
Carrick's willingness to welcome him back marks a significant shift in tone from the previous regime, and could yet shape one of the more compelling subplots of United's summer rebuild.