Harry Maguire has backed Marcus Rashford to return if the move suits both player and club, while Paul Scholes wants him out of the dressing room entirely. That is where the story sits now for Manchester United, with the club already in direct contact with Rashford’s camp and talks described as amicable. United are not dealing with a pure football question here, even if the football case has weight.
Maguire's public support
Maguire was clear about where he stands. "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 it's up to the club and up to Marcus to find a mutual agreement," he told mirror.co.uk.
He added: "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."
That sits against Scholes’ view, which was far harsher. "I think Marcus has let a lot of people down really, with his attitude," he said. "I think the fact of letting your team-mates down in that dressing room – he should be banished from the dressing room really."
Rashford’s old status at United is not in doubt. He made 426 appearances for the club, and that is part of why the idea of bringing him back is even being discussed rather than dismissed outright.
Rashford's Barcelona spell and United's choice
The football argument for a reunion is straightforward enough. Rashford scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 49 appearances for Barcelona, which is a decent return from a loan that gave him real volume rather than a short cameo. Barcelona had the option to sign him permanently for £26m but chose not to activate it.
That leaves United with a choice that is already being framed in different ways. One side wants the player reintegrated, another wants him moved on, and the reported figures around any exit are not even fully aligned. Sources have put the number at around £25m, while other reporting has pointed closer to £40m, so the fee talk is still loose.
Rashford is expected to return to Old Trafford after England's World Cup campaign. United may still decide the best solution is to keep him and try to make the football side work, but the split in opinion around him has not gone away. Maguire has gone public in support, Scholes has gone the other way, and the club now has to decide which view carries more weight.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →