Marcus Rashford finds himself at a pivotal moment in his career, with his club situation growing increasingly uncertain after Barcelona opted against signing him on a permanent basis.

The Spanish giants had the option to convert Rashford's loan spell into a full transfer, but chose not to exercise it — leaving the England forward in a precarious position heading into the new season.

That decision now forces Manchester United and their incoming manager Michael Carrick to confront a pressing question: does Rashford still have a role to play at Old Trafford?

A complicated return

Rashford's relationship with United had already grown strained before his departure for Barcelona, making the prospect of a smooth reintegration far from straightforward.

Carrick, who is set to take charge of the club, will need to assess whether the forward fits into his tactical plans or whether both parties would be better served by a clean break this summer.

For Rashford, the stakes could not be higher. At 27, he remains a player of considerable ability, but his form and consistency over the past two seasons have raised serious doubts about whether he can recapture the level that once made him one of Europe's most exciting attackers.

What comes next

Manchester United face a difficult calculation. Keeping a player who may be disengaged carries its own risks, yet the club would also need to find a buyer willing to meet their valuation in what is an increasingly competitive transfer market.

With pre-season preparations on the horizon, a resolution — in one direction or another — is likely to come sooner rather than later.