Michael Carrick could play a key role in Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United.
That’s what former Red Devils and England masseur Rod Thornley says.
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Rashford is currently on loan at Spanish giants Barcelona, who have the option to sign him permanently in the summer.
Although talks have begun with United over a deal, the 28-year-old’s future has not yet been finalized.
His contract at Old Trafford runs for two more years.
However, as Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, he has not played for United since December 2024.
Rashford’s United future
Thornley has now exposed Rashford’s behavior at the club in recent seasons.
The academy graduate played 426 games for his youth club, scoring 138 goals and providing 79 assists.
Speaking to The Busby Way podcast, Thornley explained: “I say it, I don’t mind, I know Marcus and if he’s not happy with what I say then I don’t care.”
“He became unhappy. He became a different person. I saw this player who used to be a happy, lovable boy who only carried gloom, especially at the club.”
“Outside the club I saw him every now and then and outside the club he was fine, but inside the club he had this demeanor about him that just wasn’t great.”
“Then it transferred to the pitch and then you see him running around and you just wanted to get energy out of him, which is what Michael Carrick is doing now.”
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“He gets the energy out of the players and that’s what you wanted from Marcus, but you just didn’t get it and it was basically thrown away.”
“For me, he half gave up his career at Manchester United rather than having it taken away from him.”
Rashford scored on both his first-team and Premier League debuts for United after breaking into the team in 2016 at the age of 18.
The striker has also won six trophies with the Red Devils, including the Europa League and two FA Cups.
However, he fell out of favor last season under former coach Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese was sacked by United last month, with Michael Carrick now acting as interim coach until the end of the season.
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“Carrick is key to Rashford’s return”
Asked if he believes there is a world where Carrick will bring Rashford back to the club, Thornley added: “Yes, I really do because it’s his club.”
“He loves the club and he definitely still has the talent and he’s proving that in Barcelona, but what he needs is the consistency and hunger again. It’s the hunger he needs.”
Rashford has scored ten goals and contributed 13 assists in 34 appearances for Barca in all competitions this season.
Carrick has been unbeaten since returning to United and has won four of his five games as manager.