Rashford mentors United youngsters as permanent Barcelona move fades and Old Trafford stay grows likelier

Marcus Rashford is growing closer to a permanent stay at Manchester United after impressing club chiefs by taking a mentor role with two of the club’s most promising youngsters, 15-year-old JJ Gabriel and prospect Shea Lacey, according to the Daily Mail.

Rashford, 28, has not featured in a Premier League match for United since December 2024, spending the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa before joining Barcelona, where he scored 14 goals and contributed 14 assists across 49 appearances, helping the club win La Liga — the first league title of his career. Despite those performances, Barcelona chose not to trigger a £26 million permanent option, leaving Rashford’s future unresolved heading into the summer.

Rather than withdraw from club life, Rashford has engaged actively with United’s 2026 academy graduates. His efforts in that regard have, per the Daily Mail, “seriously impressed” those in charge at the club, and the likelihood of him remaining with the Red Devils is said to be growing with each passing day.

New United head coach Michael Carrick has played a central role in the forward’s reintegration, holding extensive talks with Rashford and giving him a tour of the club’s new £50 million training facility. Carrick also deployed him during United’s pre-season defeat to AC Milan.

Rashford has also been reunited with Aston Villa teammate Youri Tielemans, with whom he built a close friendship during his loan spell. Former United captain Harry Maguire has publicly backed Rashford to stay, saying: “He’s a huge threat to have in your team, if he’s going to stay with us. I’ve played with Marcus for numerous years and I know that from playing against him, and playing with him in training, he is going to help us.”

Despite the improving picture at Old Trafford, a permanent Barcelona move has not been entirely ruled out. It is claimed that the Catalan club’s hierarchy remain in contact with Rashford’s representatives, even after signing Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon this summer.

Rashford’s performances at Barcelona also earned him a recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the recent World Cup. United open their Premier League season on Saturday with a trip to newly promoted Hull City.