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Marcus Rashford is being linked to a swap deal involving Roma’s Manu Kone as two Manchester United legends argue the forward should stay and rebuild his career at Old Trafford next season.
Rashford has been away from United since December 2024, spending time on loan at Aston Villa and Barcelona. His stint in Spain was productive — 14 goals and 14 assists, contributing to Barcelona’s La Liga title — but the Catalan club chose not to exercise their £26 million buy option. The 28-year-old made no secret of wanting to stay at the Camp Nou permanently, yet Barcelona have since brought in Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi to strengthen their attack. A separate £40 million clause, open to any club outside of Liverpool or Manchester City, has now expired.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Rashford could be offered as a makeweight in a deal to bring Roma midfielder Manu Kone to United, with Kone valued at around £51 million. Roma would reportedly welcome Rashford’s presence in their squad, though his wage demands make a permanent move difficult — leaving a loan arrangement as the only viable route, one widely considered unlikely.
With Rashford set to return to United training this summer, the arrival of Michael Carrick as manager has shifted the conversation. Two former teammates believe the new boss could be the catalyst for a genuine revival.
Paul Ince, who played alongside both men at United, is direct about his view.
“I think Carrick can get the best out of him. I really, really do. If Carrick just puts his arm around him and says, ‘Yeah, listen, you know, I want you at the club, I need you at the club. This is where you’re going to play. This is what you’re going to do.’ Then I believe you’re going to see a very, very good Rashford for Manchester United.”
Ince made those comments to Oddschecker, pointing to the personal connection between Carrick and Rashford as a key factor — the pair worked together during Carrick’s earlier coaching roles at Old Trafford.
Former United defender Wes Brown shares that assessment. The five-time Premier League winner told The Sun on behalf of LiveFootballTickets that Carrick would see clear value in reintegrating the forward.
“I’m sure Michael Carrick would love him back because it gives him another option. If he could come into the scene this season, that helps out massively. I’m still not sure what’s going to happen, but I think if it was just up to Michael, he would definitely be back in. Obviously Marcus would have loved to have probably stayed at Barca. They went another way, so I’m not sure what other options there is really. For me, it’s always time. People always fall out and you can always rekindle things in football. It’s just the way it is. I think it’ll be a boost for Michael for him to be here next season.”
Read also: Man Utd Eye Manu Kone With Rashford Offered as £26m Solution to Roma’s £51m Price Tag
Rashford has two years left on his United contract. Across 426 appearances for the club, he has scored 138 goals and provided 79 assists. The numbers reflect a player who, at his best, remains a significant attacking asset — and both Ince and Brown believe the right managerial relationship could bring that version back. Keep following TipsGG for the latest on Rashford’s future and all United transfer developments.