Rashford

Once they are into the meat of the season, few at Old Trafford will remember this day.

However, depending on how the situation unfolds before the transfer window closes on 1 September, it could be very significant in one way.

With an hour gone, Marcus Rashford was introduced by Carrick as one of six substitutes.

It was his first appearance for his boyhood club since Viktoria Plzen away in the Europa League on 12 December 2024, after which he was effectively banished by Amorim and loaned out, first to Aston Villa and then Barcelona, from where he was not expected to return.

Carrick had enough opportunities when he spoke to UK media in Maynooth on Thursday to say so if it was certain Rashford will be staying beyond this month.

United officials were quick to make it known the number nine shirt Rashford wore in Poland was not permanent, to stave off any complaints from those tempted to buy one.

The 28-year-old looked relaxed enough throughout.

When he was sent out for his first warm-up during the game, he applauded the positive reception he got from United supporters in the corner he was running towards. Although, within seconds, Samuel Chukwueze was tapping home AC Milan’s first equaliser at the same end of the pitch.

Rashford was out later than most of his fellow substitutes for a second-half warm-up, but he still had time for a couple of passing tricks with Martinez – a World Cup semi-final rival a month ago.

Once the England attacker came on, it was noticeable he stayed wider than Patrick Dorgu, the man he replaced on the left. For the record, Dorgu and Harry Maguire were United’s men on the scoresheet in this latest tune-up.

Rashford’s first run ended with him conceding a foul, but it wasn’t long before a brilliant piece of play by the corner flag took him past an opponent.

Not surprisingly, that brought the crowd to its feet.

As reintroductions go, it was solid, not spectacular. But it didn’t need to be anything more.

Premier League games at Hull and against Ipswich will offer a greater insight into Carrick’s thinking. The transfer deadline will bring permanence to what remains an uncertain situation.

That reality has created a new one.

Rashford is contracted to Manchester United until 2028. His salary of £325,000 a week makes him the club’s top earner at a time when minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is trying to stay on top of wage costs, which is, by some distance, the club’s highest expenditure.

United’s transfer activity has slowed since Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans joined them for £35m on 14 July.

While uncertainty over Rashford’s future is not the entire reason for this, it is a basic truth that Manchester United‘s search for a left-sided attacking player, or another striker, will be impacted if he stays at the club because he can play in both positions.

Equally, the amount United can pay in wages will differ depending on whether Rashford’s salary is part of the overall bill.

Many fans are conflicted.

Plenty feel Rashford’s fallout with Amorim over his performances in training was reflective of someone who no longer felt the joy of playing for his boyhood club.

Comparisons were made with his performances prior to his exit from United and those at Aston Villa, with England and then Barcelona.

Others think Rashford is too good to be discarded; a local lad who would benefit from an arm around the shoulder and is capable of making a significant impact in Carrick’s team.

The secondary point to that is could United sign a player of similar standing for £26m, given that is the fee sources close to Rashford feel would not be exceeded given it had been agreed with Barcelona?

A trio of Premier League heavyweights all want Marcus Rashford, Arsenal are interested in Aston Villa‘s Ezri Konsa, and Nottingham Forest look set to sign a new defender.

Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal are all plotting a move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28, but the Old Trafford hierarchy do not want to sell him to another English club. (The I – subscription required), external

Aston Villa‘s Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 33, is a target for Juventus while Arsenal are interested in Villa’s 28-year-old England defender Ezri Konsa. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks to sign Sporting CP and Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande, 22. (Fabrizio Romano), external

West Ham’s French centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, 26, is wanted by Juventus. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Manchester United remain keen to sign a central midfielder but have cooled their interest in Brighton‘s Cameroon international Carlos Baleba and Bournemouth‘s Guernseyman Alex Scott, both 22, because of their high price tags. (Teamtalk), external

Bournemouth are determined to keep hold of Scott, who is interesting Arsenal, even though the England Under-21 international has rejected a new contract with the Cherries. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Ipswich have agreed a deal in principle to sign Celtic’s Japanese forward Daizen Maeda, 28, for £8m plus £2m in add-ons. (Sky Sports), external

Manchester United‘s 18-year-old Australian full-back James Overy is being monitored by Rangers and several clubs in Australia. (Mail Plus – subscription required), external

Manchester United are in a quandary over Marcus Rashford’s future, Arsenal and Tottenham eye Antonio Nusa, Barcelona shortlist Bournemouth‘s Eli Junior Kroupi.

Manchester United will aim to arrange a transfer for their England forward Marcus Rashford, 28 before their pre-season training camp in Dublin in August. (Sun), external

But plans are also in place, though, to reintegrate Rashford into Manchester United‘s squad under Michael Carrick. (Guardian), external

Arsenal and Tottenham are among five Premier League sides eyeing a move for RB Leipzig and Norway winger Antonio Nusa, 21. (Teamtalk), external

Barcelona have shortlisted Bournemouth‘s French striker Eli Junior Kroupi, 20, but could face competition from Paris St-Germain, Arsenal and Tottenham. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Juventus want Aston Villa to lower their demand for a 10m euros (£8.5m) fee for Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, 33, having already agreed personal terms. (La Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Barcelona are competing with a host of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, for highly rated Colorado Rapids and Australia defender Lucas Herrington, 18. (Teamtalk), external

Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are all chasing 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is starring in the World Cup for Morocco. (Football Insider), external

Chelsea will consider Juventus and Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, 26, if they choose to reshape their striking department this summer. (CaughtOffside), external

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is considering Arsenal and Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori, 24, his Gunners team-mate, Chilean Piero Hincapie, 24, and Manchester City and Portugal’s Ruben Dias, 29, as he looks to add physicality to his side’s defence. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Former Liverpool and Brazil midfielder Fabinho, 32, says he is interested in reuniting with Mourinho at Real Madrid after leaving Al-Ittihad. (Talksport), external

Sporting are set to sign Chelsea‘s Jesse Derry, 19, on a season-long loan with the winger due in Lisbon for a medical. (Sky Sports), external

Morgan Rogers keen on a move to Arsenal, Marcus Rashford prepared to take pay cut to join Tottenham and Spurs also confident of signing Newcastle‘s Sandro Tonali.

Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers is keen on a move to Premier League champions Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners making the 23-year-old a top target. (Talksport) , external

Manchester United‘s England forward Marcus Rashford, 28, is prepared to take a pay cut to join Tottenham for £40m this summer after his Barcelona loan. (i paper), external

Tottenham are confident of signing Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali for a fee close to £85m, but the Italy international, 26, would rather join rivals Arsenal. (Daily Mail – subscription required), external

Chelsea‘s 26-year-old defender Trevoh Chalobah, who was a late call-up to England’s World Cup squad, is wanted by Como boss Cesc Fabregas. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Bayern Munich and Tottenham are both keen on 29-year-old Juventus defender Bremer, but the Brazilian is happy to stay in Turin. (Gianluca DiMarzio – in Italian), external

Barcelona have made a surprise approach to see if England striker Harry Kane, 32, would be open to leaving Bayern Munich for the Spanish club. (Sport – in Spanish) , external

Manchester United are prepared to accept a loss on 25-year-old Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte in order to sell him this summer. (Sun) , external

Leeds United have moved closer to finalising a deal for Southampton’s Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles, 22, who only has a year left on his current contract. (Teamtalk), external

Brighton are closing in on the signing of 27-year-old Venezia and Austria defender Michael Svoboda. (Sky Sports) , external

Arsenal are yet to agree a deal to sign Kolkheti and Georgia Under-21 midfielder Andria Bartishvili, with Liverpool and Paris FC are also working on a move for the 17-year-old. (Talksport) , external

West Ham and France defender Jean-Clair Todibo, 26, is close to agreeing a loan move to Fenerbahce after the Hammers’ relegation. (Star – in Turkish), external

Aston Villa do not plan to sell Morgan Rogers amid interest in the attacking midfielder, Barcelona remain keen on signing Marcus Rashford from Manchester United and Real Madrid hold talks with Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries.

Aston Villa are aware of interest in attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers from a number of clubs, including Arsenal, but have no intention of selling the 23-year-old England international. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Germany full-back Nathaniel Brown, 22, is the subject of interest from Bayern Munich and Arsenal. (The Athletic – subscription required), external

Manchester City and Chelsea are interested in Juventus’ wing-back Andrea Cambiaso, 26, with Barcelona also monitoring the Italy international’s situation. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Liverpool and Paris St-Germain might both want RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande but the German club are calm about the situation as they believe the 19-year-old will not only stay with them for another year but also sign a new improved contract. (Sky Sports Germany), external

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, sporting director Deco and president Joan Laporta remain keen to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on a permanent basis amid interest from Bayern Munich, Newcastle, Tottenham and Aston Villa in the 28-year-old England international. (The I), external

Juventus are looking at a move for 27-year-old Bournemouth and Netherlands forward Justin Kluivert as an alternative to Real Madrid’s 26-year-old Morocco ineternational Brahim Diaz. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external

Manchester United have scouted Juventus and France defender Pierre Kalulu and the Turin club might be forced to sell the 25-year-old to balance the books after failing to qualify for the Champions League. (Corriere dello Sport – in Italian), external

Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes, 21, has been cleared to leave West Ham after contact from Manchester United and Arsenal, while Liverpool and Paris St-Germain are also monitoring developments. (Teamtalk), external

Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are interested in Club Brugge’s German striker Nicolo Tresoldi, 21, after a prolific season in Belgium. (The Athletic – subscription required), external

Real Madrid have held talks with Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries, who has a £21.6m release clause, as they view the 30-year-old Dutch international as their top target to strengthen at right-back. (Athletic), external