Rashford has not played for United since December 2024, spending the intervening period on loan at Aston Villa and then Barcelona, where he has contributed 13 goals and 11 assists across 46 appearances under Hansi Flick.
The 28-year-old has rebranded his social media presence as MR14, aligning himself with his Barcelona squad number, and is privately understood to be opposed to any return to Manchester.
His congratulations message on X following Manchester United's Champions League qualification on Sunday — his first digital interaction with the club in nearly a year — prompted speculation about a possible return. The club's position did not change. Carrick has been careful in his public comments but sources close to Old Trafford's hierarchy are clear that Rashford's chapter there is over.
The symbolic severance came when Rúben Amorim stripped Rashford of the number 10 shirt following a training-ground breakdown and handed it to Matheus Cunha, who has since made the role — and the number — his own.
Cunha has scored five goals under Carrick, including winners against Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool. Three of those have been decisive.
United's preference is a permanent sale, partly to clear a wage bill that rises to £325,000 a week in July following Champions League qualification. Barcelona are believed to prefer a second loan as a prelude to a reduced-cost permanent deal in 2027. Arsenal and Bayern Munich have also been credited with serious monitoring of the situation.
Patrick Dorgu, recovered from injury, offers Carrick a natural left-side option in the short term, but recruiting an established left winger is among the club's stated summer priorities alongside a central midfielder. With Garnacho sold to Chelsea during the January window and Jadon Sancho expected to leave permanently, the need on the flank is acute.