Owen sees slim Carrick lifeline for Rashford as Barcelona stall on £26m permanent deal

Marcus Rashford’s future remains unresolved as Barcelona stall on paying Manchester United’s £26m asking price to make his loan move permanent, leaving open — however narrowly — the possibility of a return to Old Trafford under new head coach Michael Carrick.

Former England striker Michael Owen, speaking to Metro, argued that Carrick’s existing relationship with Rashford is the only realistic basis for a reunion at United. “Well, if it was any other manager, then I would say it’s impossible,” Owen said. “The only chink of light is that it’s Michael Carrick and he knows him. If he really rates him, then is it beyond the realms? There might be a tiny chink of light, but I still think it’s very unlikely.”

Owen also suggested Barcelona may be using the delay as leverage rather than signalling a genuine withdrawal. “I know Barcelona didn’t trigger that option yet but United really want to get rid. They know Rashford wants to stay. Barcelona might be playing hardball, and they might say, ‘we’ll take it, but you know we’re not going to pay that type of fee’, so it still might be a lot of posturing.”

The La Liga club have already spent heavily this window, committing £59.3m to sign Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, which may partly explain their reluctance to meet United’s valuation for Rashford. Despite that, Owen said he still expects the 27-year-old to remain at Barcelona beyond the summer. “I would still expect him to be at Barcelona next season personally, and I can’t see a return to Manchester United — but as I say, the one little glimmer of hope for everybody might be that it’s Michael Carrick and he’s working wonders already and he knows him really well.”

Rashford still has two years remaining on his United contract, and Newcastle have already ruled out a move for the forward due to his wage demands. His last appearance in a United shirt came in 2024 in a Europa League fixture against Viktoria Plzeň, with his final goals at Old Trafford arriving in a 4-0 win over Everton in December of that year.

Owen also floated Arsenal as a potential destination, noting that newly crowned Premier League champions are still searching for a reliable centre-forward option. “Obviously, on the left-hand side, Trossard is a very good player, and Martinelli’s a very good player, but they aren’t quite on Rashford’s level when he’s fit and firing,” he said, adding that Arsenal are likely to act only if the right opportunity presents itself rather than pursuing major signings proactively.