Marcus Rashford 'preparing for Man Utd return' as transfer stalemate continues

 Marcus Rashford is ready to return to Manchester United for pre-season training if a transfer away does not materialise in the coming weeks ahead of the club's pre-season tour of the United States.

After spending the second half of the 2024-25 campaign out on loan at Aston Villa, Rashford, 27, is free to leave Old Trafford for good this summer and is one of a number of players that the Red Devils are actively attempting to offload during the transfer window.

But with nobody currently in serious talks to sign the United academy graduate, Rashford may have to start pre-season at Carrington.

As first reported by ESPN, Rashford is said to be 'preparing' for such an eventuality with United due back in for tests and training next month.

And despite interest from a host of Europe's elite, such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus, the report adds that United have not received any formal offers for Rashford.

Given he is under contract until 2028, there is a possibility that another loan could be sanctioned if nobody is will to pursue a permanent deal for a player who is surplus to requirements under Ruben Amorim.

United would, however, prefer to do a permanent deal for Rashford, who is valued at around £40million. The player's preference is to join a club in the Champions League.

It was claimed earlier in the summer that Rashford's dream move would be to join Barcelona, who have been linked to the player extensively over the past 12 months.

But with the Spanish giants now advancing in their pursuit of Nico Williams from Athletic Club, such a switch now seems highly unlikely, at least in this transfer window.

United are set to embark on an overhaul of a playing squad that fell well below expectations in the Premier League last season and are hoping to make Bryan Mbeumo their second summer signing following the capture of Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

Outgoings will be required to give the club more room to manoeuvre in the transfer market and it's hoped that further funds can be generated from the sales of Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho, all of whom have no future at Old Trafford.