Shearer urges Carrick not to bother convincing Rashford to stay at Manchester United

Alan Shearer has told Michael Carrick not to waste energy trying to convince Marcus Rashford to remain at Manchester United this summer, insisting the forward’s fractured relationship with the club is beyond repair.

Rashford, 28, returned to Old Trafford after Barcelona declined to trigger their £26 million purchase option at the end of his season-long loan, instead spending £69 million to sign Anthony Gordon. The England forward will now report back to United following his World Cup commitments with the Three Lions.

Speaking to the Mirror, Shearer was blunt in his assessment: “I don’t think it will be difficult for Rashford to focus on his game at the World Cup because ultimately he has a contract at Man Utd, albeit they don’t want him and he doesn’t want to be there. Things will get sorted. I think both may be playing a game. Barcelona may be testing Man Utd by refusing to pay what they want and then it’ll get so late into the transfer window and Man Utd won’t want him in their squad.”

The Newcastle United legend added: “If I were Michael Carrick, I probably wouldn’t try and convince him to stay at Man Utd because I think too much may have gone on before. I don’t know the situation, but I get the feeling he doesn’t want to be there. Too much has happened at Man Utd. I know they’re under a different manager now, but it’s the same owners. I’d be really, really surprised if he were to be at Man Utd next season.”

Rashford’s estrangement from United began under Ruben Amorim, who marginalised him during the 2024/25 season. The forward first joined Aston Villa on loan for the latter stages of that campaign before moving to Barcelona for the entirety of 2025/26, where he thrived under Hansi Flick.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his club future, Rashford made an immediate impact at the World Cup, coming off the bench to score in England’s 4-2 opening victory over Croatia at Dallas Stadium on Wednesday. Shearer was confident the transfer noise would not affect his performances for the national team: “I think he’ll be able to focus for England. After all, he is playing in the biggest tournament. I don’t think that will be an issue at all.”