Man Utd transfers: Can Marcus Rashford be reintegrated at Old Trafford or will he leave before the end of the window? | Football News

Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United remains up in the air.

He will return to Carrington following the World Cup and a loan at Barcelona but after the LaLiga champions opted against activating his £26m option-to-buy he has been left in the wilderness.

So, what exactly does Michael Carrick do with Rashford? Does he reintergrate his former team-mate into the United squad? Can he form part of Carrick’s plans ahead of the United boss’ first full season in charge? Or will United still find a way out for Rahsford?

In a special United summer podcast, Sky Sports presenter Joe Thomlinson is joined by Sky Sports News’ Dan Khan and Sky Sports football journalist William Bitibiri to discuss Rashford’s future at Old Trafford. The trio also discuss United’s midfield rebuild and how realistic an opportunity United have to sign Lewis Hall from Newcastle.

How to listen… or watch

This content is available as a podcast, on YouTube and in bitesize video form across Sky Sports’ digital platforms.

Did Rashford close a chapter when he left on loan?

After clinching LaLiga, Rashford told press, if he was a “magician” he would stay at Barcelona. Fast forward a couple of months, he hasn’t been able to make his wish come true. Instead, he’ll report back to where he left last summer when it felt like a goodbye.

“He hasn’t got a squad number anymore,” Bitibiri said.

“His number 10 shirt is now being occupied by Matheus Cunha. So it does feel like he looks like a spare part. It feels a bit awkward. It feels very awkward to say, listen, in a few days’ time, Marcus Rashford is going to turn up at Carrington, turn up into the dressing room and see someone else sitting where he used to sit.”

Khan adds that it appeared that Rashford didn’t have his heart set on a return to his boyhood club.

“One thing you can’t deny is Manchester United have another star on their team with Marcus Rashford in the team,” Khan said.

“Regardless of whatever level people think he is at, there’s no doubt after Bruno Fernandes, you look at proper stars in football, Marcus Rashford is one of those names.

“I think it’s very interesting footballing-wise. I think we haven’t seen him in a Manchester United shirt, for a year and a half. He’s played for two clubs since he’s last played for Manchester United.

“And he seemed pretty content to move on. He’s done podcasts, he’s done social media statements where he’s not really referenced the club too much. I know he then walked back on that, but even interviews at Barcelona, it didn’t seem that he had his heart set on coming back to Manchester United.

How likely is it that Hall signs for Man Utd?

Left-back is one of the positions United have been keen on strengthening this summer. Question marks over Luke Shaw’s ability to play multiple games in one week means that United are a touch light in that area. One of the names that has been of interest to those at Old Trafford is Newcastle’s Lewis Hall.

“We first reported his name in March, and I think a lot of people raised their eyebrows,” Khan said.

“People were like, ‘oh, Lewis Hall, that’s never going to happen’. ‘Oh, that’s unlikely’. And then, look, I think from my perspective, it’s shifted a little bit.

“You know, it’s gone from someone on that list to someone they really admire, and also actually feels a little bit achievable now this summer in terms of, you look at where Newcastle ended last season, you know, they have no Champions League football to look forward to.

“You look at the change in manager, the ownership and how they’re having to raise funds and players leaving the club. And also you look at Lewis Hall’s role in that.

“He’s not Bruno Guimaraes who looks destined for Arsenal. So actually Lewis Hall, yes, they wouldn’t be happy to lose him, but I wouldn’t say from a Newcastle perspective, he’s irreplaceable.

“You know, he was out of the team a little bit in April anyway, let’s not forget. I think that’s where everyone kind of was like, wow, he’s really developed in a short space of time here. All I’m saying is, I think from Manchester United’s perspective, with all of these factors in, I think they think, actually he is achievable this summer.”

Who will start in Man Utd’s midfield in the curtain raiser?

Midfield was an area of priority for United coming into the summer transfer window and they’ve managed to bring in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. However, when United get their campaign up and running against Hull City on August 22, who will make up United’s?

“I think first game of the season, I would be surprised to see Youri Tielemans straight into the team just because he’s arrived latest from the World Cup,” Thomlinson said.

“I think Mason Mount has really put a name down for himself in his pre-season performances to say, he should be starting in the midfield alongside Andre Santos.

“Of course, Kobbie Mainoo is coming back from the World Cup as well, went extremely deep. I know he didn’t play, but still traveling and stuff. So I would say first game of the season, I can see it being Santos and Mount. But I think as the season progress, I think you’ll see Mainoo and Tielemans.”

Mason Mount has been a real standout in pre-season, Bitibiri agrees that he may have played his way into Carrick’s starting side.

“Every manager seems to be a big fan of Mason Mount,” Bitibiri said.

“And I look at him and I say, that’s someone who’s got the right attitude. The deep No 8, it’s not a position that’s alien to him. I think we kind of look at Mount and we think No 10.

“We think about some of the Chelsea days, probably higher up in the pitch, maybe behind the striker. I think he’s played there for England as well. But I think Mason Mount, can play alongside Kobbie Mainoo, for example.

“And we saw that towards the back end of last season, the Brighton game. And he was brilliant. He was brilliant then. So it’s not this revelation that we’re seeing Mason Mount playing deep.

“But Michael Carrick clearly trusts him and sees a player that can play as an eight. And I think that’s interesting. So for me, I think Mason Mount should probably start just based on pre-season alone.”

Listen to the podcast in full for much more discussion and analysis on Manchester United’s summer transfer window