Harry Maguire did an interview on Netflix’s The Rest Is Football podcast and ended up saying something that actually matters for the transfer window. The Manchester United captain basically told the world that the locker room would take Marcus Rashford back with open arms if the club and the player could figure things out.
That’s not nothing. Because right now, Rashford’s situation at Old Trafford looks like a closed book that someone keeps trying to reopen.
Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona and played well enough to win LaLiga and the Supercopa. He put up 14 goals and 14 assists in 49 games. On paper, that’s a productive year for a guy who needed a fresh start. But Barcelona surprised everyone by passing on the €30 million purchase option. Then they went and signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle instead. So Rashford is back in limbo.
United wants him gone. His contract runs through 2028, which is a long time to keep a player who clearly isn’t part of the plan. There’s been plenty of interest from Premier League clubs and teams abroad, but nothing has materialized into a deal yet.
Enter Maguire, who basically said the quiet part out loud.
“I have an amazing relationship with Marcus and had some great times with him over the years,” Maguire said. “I know what a wonderful player he can be. It’s up to the club and up to Marcus and finding a mutual agreement. Of course, if Marcus does come back we want him to come back and play and be happy and confident.”
He added that it needs to be right for both sides, but the message was pretty clear: the guys in the room wouldn’t be mad if Rashford walked back through the door.
Maguire also talked about watching Rashford at the World Cup, where he got his first start for England against Panama in the group stage. Rashford didn’t score or assist in the 2-0 win, but Maguire liked what he saw.
“He was so direct and positive with everything that he did,” Maguire said. “He took the game to Panama. First 10 minutes he put four or five crosses in the box. He was a constant threat. When he’s in that direct mode, he’s unstoppable on his day.”
High praise from a guy who’s seen Rashford at his best and worst over years at United and with England.
The tricky part is that United is actively looking for a new left winger this summer. Bringing Rashford back into the fold would save them millions and maybe a whole lot of roster shuffling. But the relationship between the player and the club has been fractured for a while now. Some of that damage might be past the point of repair.
Sometimes a clean break is the only move that makes sense, even if the talent is still there.
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