Man Utd forward Marcus Rashford is playing for England at the World Cup after spending the season on loan with Barcelona.
Harry Maguire has backed a potential Marcus Rashford return to Manchester United after his loan spell with Barcelona, who did not trigger their option to sign him permanently following the end of the season.
Barcelona moved quickly to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle in a ÂŁ70m deal at the start of the window. Gordon plays on the left wing, and his arrival meant Barca did not trigger their ÂŁ26m option to sign Rashford.
Rashford contributed 14 goals and 14 assists for Barcelona as they won La Liga, but the Catalan club wanted to explore signing him for a lower fee than was agreed when the loan was rubber-stamped.
United will not engage with Barcelona if they ask about another loan deal for next season, which leaves Rashford's future up in the air ahead of 2026/2027.
Rashford is currently representing England at the World Cup, but he is set to report for United's pre-season once he enjoys a break after the tournament.
United are fine with the possibility of Rashford returning for pre-season after the World Cup, and Michael Carrick suggested the door was open to his reintroduction when he spoke at a press conference last season.
Maguire has now given his backing for Rashford to rejoin the dressing room. When asked whether he would welcome Rashford back with open arms, he told The Rest Is Football: "Yeah, of course, I have an amazing relationship with Marcus and have had some great times with him over the years.
"I know what a wonderful player he can be. I'm sure itâs up to the club and up to Marcus to find a mutual agreement. Of course, if Marcus does come back, we want him to come back and play and be happy and confident.
"It needs to be right for himself, it needs to be right for the club, but everyone knows what a great player Marcus can be for whatever club he plays for next season."
During the World Cup, Maguire has provided punditry for The Rest Is Football podcast, and he praised the impact Rashford had for England in his first start of the tournament against Panama.
Maguire said: "I think he was so direct and positive with everything that he did. We spoke about the Ghana game, where it was a bit slow, and we had too much patience in the game.
"I think Rashy straight away took the game to Panama, and I think in the first 10 minutes, he put four or five crosses in the box, and it wasnât as accurate as he normally is, and then he finds that one where Harry probably was unfortunate not to score.
"He was a constant threat throughout the game and when heâs in that mood I think us England fans know how good he can be, and Iâve had the pleasure of playing with him at Manchester United for many years, so when heâs in that frame and in that direct mode heâs unstoppable on his day."
The World Cup final will take place on July 19. Even if England reach the final of the tournament, Rashford will theoretically be back in pre-season in time to be available for United's final friendly of the summer against AC Milan on August 15.
Rashford has two years remaining on his ÂŁ325,000 per week United contract, which was signed in the summer of 2023 after a 30-goal season.
Harry Maguire has backed a potential Marcus Rashford return to Manchester United after his loan spell with Barcelona, who did not trigger their option to sign him permanently following the end of the season.
Barcelona moved quickly to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle in a ÂŁ70m deal at the start of the window. Gordon plays on the left wing, and his arrival meant Barca did not trigger their ÂŁ26m option to sign Rashford.
Rashford contributed 14 goals and 14 assists for Barcelona as they won La Liga, but the Catalan club wanted to explore signing him for a lower fee than was agreed when the loan was rubber-stamped.
United will not engage with Barcelona if they ask about another loan deal for next season, which leaves Rashford's future up in the air ahead of 2026/2027.
Rashford is currently representing England at the World Cup, but he is set to report for United's pre-season once he enjoys a break after the tournament.
United are fine with the possibility of Rashford returning for pre-season after the World Cup, and Michael Carrick suggested the door was open to his reintroduction when he spoke at a press conference last season.
Maguire has now given his backing for Rashford to rejoin the dressing room. When asked whether he would welcome Rashford back with open arms, he told The Rest Is Football: "Yeah, of course, I have an amazing relationship with Marcus and have had some great times with him over the years.
"I know what a wonderful player he can be. I'm sure itâs up to the club and up to Marcus to find a mutual agreement. Of course, if Marcus does come back, we want him to come back and play and be happy and confident.
"It needs to be right for himself, it needs to be right for the club, but everyone knows what a great player Marcus can be for whatever club he plays for next season."
During the World Cup, Maguire has provided punditry for The Rest Is Football podcast, and he praised the impact Rashford had for England in his first start of the tournament against Panama.
Maguire said: "I think he was so direct and positive with everything that he did. We spoke about the Ghana game, where it was a bit slow, and we had too much patience in the game.
"I think Rashy straight away took the game to Panama, and I think in the first 10 minutes, he put four or five crosses in the box, and it wasnât as accurate as he normally is, and then he finds that one where Harry probably was unfortunate not to score.
"He was a constant threat throughout the game and when heâs in that mood I think us England fans know how good he can be, and Iâve had the pleasure of playing with him at Manchester United for many years, so when heâs in that frame and in that direct mode heâs unstoppable on his day."
The World Cup final will take place on July 19. Even if England reach the final of the tournament, Rashford will theoretically be back in pre-season in time to be available for United's final friendly of the summer against AC Milan on August 15.
Rashford has two years remaining on his ÂŁ325,000 per week United contract, which was signed in the summer of 2023 after a 30-goal season.
