Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United Future Uncertain Amid Transfer Speculation

Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United future is not completely locked in, with senior figures at Old Trafford refusing to close the door on a shock exit before Tuesday’s transfer deadline – and Arsenal and Barcelona are watching closely.

United have brought Rashford back into the fold, restored him to their matchday plans and handed him the number nine shirt. He featured off the bench in the opening-day defeat at Hull City, a clear sign the club still see him as part of the immediate picture.

Inside the club, the line is consistent: they are planning with Rashford and want to keep him. But that stance comes with a quiet caveat. Sources insist a departure is “highly unlikely” rather than impossible, and that distinction matters in the final days of a window.

United’s attack is already being reshaped. Joshua Zirkzee is being allowed to join Fiorentina, trimming Erik ten Hag’s options up front. Losing another forward would force United into a rapid rethink, so any move for Rashford would hinge on the club being able to line up an alternative in attack. A serious offer, though, would at least be listened to.

Arsenal are among the clubs ready if that scenario opens up. Having sanctioned Gabriel Martinelli’s move to Al-Hilal, Mikel Arteta’s side are pushing hard to strengthen on the left. They have looked at Real Madrid’s Endrick as one possible solution, but Rashford is a long-standing object of admiration inside the Emirates.

A late play for the England international has not been ruled out. With the Gunners determined to add a left-sided attacker before the deadline, their interest in Rashford is viewed as significant rather than speculative.

Barcelona are in the frame as well. The Catalan club remain strong admirers of Rashford after his successful loan spell at the Nou Camp last season and have kept open lines of communication with his camp, even after his reintegration at United.

Barça initially hoped to go in a different direction, with Julian Alvarez a major attacking target. That move, involving the Atletico Madrid forward heading to the Nou Camp before Tuesday, is now seen as highly unlikely. The dead end there could push Barcelona back towards Rashford as the clock ticks down.

For now, United’s position is clear but not absolute: Rashford is back in the squad, back in the plans, and expected to stay. Yet those close to the situation stress that an exit is not completely off the table if the right proposal lands and a replacement path opens up.

With Arsenal reshaping their left flank and Barcelona still circling, Rashford’s future has become one of the most intriguing storylines of the final days of the window – and one that could yet jolt the market in its closing hours.