Michael Carrick told Marcus Rashford transfer reality amid Man Utd return rumours

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Michael Carrick shouldn't waste time trying to convince Marcus Rashford to stay at Manchester United this summer, according to Alan Shearer . That's given the Newcastle United legend turned pundit believes he doesn't want to play for his boyhood club again.

Despite graduating from the Red Devils' youth academy in 2015 and enjoying the best part of a decade at Old Trafford, the 28-year-old's relationship with the club deteriorated under Ruben Amorim's stewardship. After falling out of favour under the Portuguese tactician, Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan for the latter stages of 2024/25.

With Amorim still at the helm for the start of 2025/26, meanwhile, Rashford moved onto new pastures with Barcelona for the entirety of the season. While the Englishman thrived under Hansi Flick , the La Liga giants opted against triggering their £26million option to make his move permanent, instead bringing in Anthony Gordon in a £69m move.

As a result, Rashford will return to United after his World Cup duties with the Three Lions this summer. And while there is a possibility that the forward could revive his career on English soil given that Carrick is now at the helm, Betfair ambassador Shearer isn't convinced that he wants a return to Greater Manchester.

He told the Mirror : "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, but he has got a contract behind him so it's not as if he's struggling for cash.

"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.

"I don't think it'll be at all worrying for Rashford. 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.

"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."

It comes as Rashford put on an impressive display during England's opening World Cup fixture against Croatia on Wednesday evening. The talent emerged as a late substitution for Gordon, but made an instant impact as he scored in the 4-2 win at the Dallas Stadium.

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It comes as Rashford has been linked with a wealth of clubs as of recent, as the next stage of his career remains uncertain. Arsenal , Tottenham Hotspur , Manchester City , Chelsea and Aston Villa are all rumoured to be interested in the star in terms of English teams, while Bayern Munich and Galatasaray are also thought to be monitoring his situation.

Rashford also has a £40m release clause embedded in his current contract, which can be activated by any club barring Man City or Liverpool . However, as Shearer alluded to, teams may be waiting until later in the transfer window to negotiate a lesser fee for the player's services.