The Potential Return of Marcus Rashford to Manchester United

omidbasir- Marcus Rashford is currently experiencing a revival in form at Barcelona, following a stint at Aston Villa. He has significantly thrived away from the intense scrutiny of the Premier League, having scored four goals and provided six assists in La Liga, along with five goals and three assists in the Champions League. Former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen believes that Rashford’s connection with his boyhood club remains strong, suggesting that a return to Manchester is a real possibility.

In a conversation with BetGoat, Meulensteen underscored the unique bond that academy players share with the club, which he asserts never fades. “It could be a route back for Marcus Rashford at Man Utd, definitely,” Meulensteen remarked. “I think Marcus is still as ‘red’ as anyone because he came through the ranks as a young kid, and that will never go away, that will never leave him.”

Meulensteen emphasized that Rashford’s decision to leave United, first for Aston Villa and then for Barcelona, was beneficial for his personal and professional growth. He drew comparisons to Scott McTominay, another Manchester United academy graduate who has found success at Napoli, suggesting that moving away from the Premier League has allowed Rashford to rediscover his form.

“It’s the same with Scott McTominay. Both players have done extremely well wherever they’ve gone,” Meulensteen noted. “But I think it was good for Marcus to have that spell away, first of all at Aston Villa, but now at Barcelona. It’s a different culture, a different language, and a different style. Every week is different.”

He further articulated that the relentless physical and mental demands of the English top flight can overwhelm players, whereas La Liga offers a distinct challenge that currently suits Rashford’s style of play. “The Premier League is different. It’s so much more demanding than any league in the world. And I think he’s enjoying his football, and that’s the most important thing. He needs to enjoy his football.”

While discussing the possibility of a return, Meulensteen did not shy away from the factors that motivated Rashford’s departure. The final months of his tenure at Manchester United were characterized by a noticeable decline in confidence and happiness, particularly under managers Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. Meulensteen questioned the internal dynamics that led to such a passionate player losing his flair, suggesting that “something was not right” behind the scenes at that time.

“They still do well in the Champions League. But, yeah, things have changed. Things have changed at the club,” Meulensteen observed. “There was something not right that didn’t sit well with Marcus at that particular time at Manchester United because you have to really ask yourself what it is that made him lose that desire to play for the club he used to love and grew up with.”

Looking ahead, Meulensteen believes that the healing process has likely already commenced due to their time apart. With Rashford rediscovering his joy in Spain and Manchester United transitioning into a new era, the conditions for reconciliation may be aligning. However, he emphasized that any progress hinges on open and honest communication between the player and the club’s leadership.

“But things can change, and things can change for the better, but obviously conversations should be held to see where they lead,” he concluded.