Marcus Rashford finally reveals the one Man United player that must leave for him to return by the summer
Former Manchester United and England masseuse Rod Thornley believes Michael Carrick could have a major influence on what happens next in Marcus Rashford’s career at Old Trafford.
Rashford is currently spending the season on loan with Barcelona, who hold an option to make the move permanent in the summer. Discussions have reportedly begun between the Spanish side and United, but no final agreement has been reached. The 28-year-old still has more than two years left on his contract in Manchester, even though he has not pulled on the United shirt since December 2024. He previously spent the latter part of last season on loan at Aston Villa.
Thornley has now offered insight into Rashford’s mindset during his final period at the club. The forward, who rose through United’s academy, has featured 426 times for the first team, scoring 138 goals and registering 79 assists. However, according to Thornley, the player’s personality appeared to shift in recent seasons.
Speaking on The Busby Way podcast, Thornley claimed Rashford became increasingly unhappy and withdrawn around the training ground. He described a noticeable change from the cheerful youngster who first broke into the team to someone who seemed low in mood within the club environment. While Thornley said Rashford appeared fine away from Carrington, he suggested that his body language internally was concerning and that the dip in energy eventually became visible during matches.
Thornley argued that the drop in intensity was particularly frustrating because it contrasted sharply with the dynamic, fearless teenager who burst onto the scene in 2016, scoring on both his senior and Premier League debuts at just 18 years old. Over the years, Rashford went on to win six trophies with United, including the Europa League and two FA Cups, cementing his status as one of the club’s standout academy graduates of the modern era.
His relationship with former manager Rúben Amorim reportedly deteriorated last season, and Amorim’s departure has reopened debate about whether Rashford could still have a future at Old Trafford. Carrick, now overseeing the side on an interim basis, has made an immediate impact, remaining unbeaten with four wins from his first five matches back in charge.
Thornley believes that Carrick’s emphasis on intensity and renewed energy within the squad could be crucial if Rashford is to rediscover his best form in Manchester. In his view, the talent has never been in doubt. What has been missing, he suggests, is consistent hunger and drive—qualities Carrick is currently demanding from the group.
Meanwhile, Rashford has shown flashes of quality in Spain, contributing 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona this season. Whether that resurgence translates into a permanent move or a dramatic return to Manchester may ultimately depend on Carrick’s long-term role and whether he can reignite the spark that once made Rashford one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards.
