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Marcus Rashford told to release 'almighty statement' to save Man Utd career
Jul 26 2026 21:17 · By Daniel Orme/Sports Writer · 0 Reads
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Marcus Rashford has been told to release an 'almighty statement' in a last-ditch effort to save his Manchester United career - but even that might only be enough for a bit-part role.
The Red Devils academy graduate has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford over the past few years. He was initially sent out on loan to Aston Villa , before joining Barcelona on a season-long loan deal last term.
The Spanish giants had an option to sign him permanently but decided against it in the end. That decision will see Rashford return to Manchester over the coming weeks, once he rounds off a holiday following his commitments with England at the World Cup.
However, former England international Micky Gray believes Rashford needs to release a lengthy statement re-affirming his commitment to United.
Speaking on talkSPORT , he said: "There's a few things here. The most important one is, if Rashford has a future at Man United, he has to do an almighty statement of why he wants to be at Man United and what the reasons were to leave the club in the first place.
“I think that's a priority that he has to do. If he does stay then he's got to get used to being a bit-part player.
"He's not first on the list; he's not going to be playing every week...[Bryan] Mbuemo, [Matheus] Cunha, [Benjamin] Sesko, Amad to name a few. They've caught up to and if not surpassed Rashford.
"Spain is not England. He did very well, but he can play at Barcelona at a different level to what he can at Man United. He can't deny that the Premier League is 100mph – he's going to have to get himself super fit in pre-season.
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"We saw the good and the bad of Rashford for England at the World Cup… can Man United utilise him in a way they can expect to see the good side and bad side? If they do that and he stays… Rashford has got to expect that he isn't going to play every game."
Rashford still has two years remaining on his contract with United, having only penned a new deal in 2023. He reportedly earns around £325,000 per week at Old Trafford.
It has been suggested that the Red Devils have set his price at around £40m despite Barcelona having had an option of £25m to sign him permanently in the summer.