Manchester United may yet get the pay day they are hoping for when it comes to Marcus Rashford. The England forward does not appear to have any return route to Old Trafford having spent the last 18 months out on loan, including spells with Aston Villa and Barcelona.

Rashford particularly impressed during his time with the latter, registering 14 goals and as many assists to help the Blaugrana to their second successive LaLiga title.

Barcelona held an option to buy Rashford in the loan deal, which was worth €30million, but while the deadline to activate that option is not until June 15, Barca have already communicated that they will not be doing so. The story may not end there, though.

Barcelona may yet pull the trigger

According to Diario AS, Barcelona may yet move to sign Rashford despite deciding not to execute the option to buy. Reports in England have speculated that Barca’s motive is to further reduce the fee, but that is not the case.

The LaLiga champions decided to sign Anthony Gordon on a deal worth up to €80million, upgrading their wing positions.

But the main reason is that they are fully focusing on landing a new striker to replace Robert Lewandowski, and they are well aware that a new centre-forward could cost them big money. Once that situation is resolved, Barca will revisit the Rashford situation to see whether they feel it is a deal worth doing.

United could theoretically charge more should Barca circle back around, but the Spanish club know the Red Devils want to sell, and they are likely to get a very similar, if not slightly reduced, deal should they decide to go ahead.

As far as Rashford himself is concerned, he may be disappointed that Barca haven’t rewarded him with a permanent deal, but he is not alone in being the subject of the Catalan club’s singular focus.

Reports emerged this week claiming soon-to-be former Manchester City star Bernardo Silva has been offered to Barca, but while they see him as a good option, they are not willing to do any business until they land their priority, which is a striker. Silva will also have to wait if he wants to join Barca this summer.

Cole backs Rashford to Chelsea

In the meantime, former Chelsea winger Joe Cole is backing Rashford for a move to Chelsea as Xabi Alonso looks to upgrade his wing spots this summer. “It’s just a matter of the wages and the valuation,” Cole told the Sun Sport.

“Rashford ticks a lot of boxes, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on him – he’d do a good job for Chelsea. He needs to keep going, Marcus, he needs to keep his confidence up because he rebuilt himself at Barcelona, and there’s still another level for him to jump to. He’s someone Chelsea should inquire about, but it’ll depend on the deal.”

England thrashed American side Miami FC in a behind-closed-doors friendly as they continued their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Thomas Tuchel’s side played their final official warm-up match ahead of this summer’s tournament on Wednesday as they took on Costa Rica.

Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins were all on the scoresheet as England, looking to end their 60-year major trophy drought, won 3-0 in Orlando.

A day later, England took on Miami FC, who compete in the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer league system. Details of the match have now emerged.

England Thrash Miami FC

Nathan Ray Seebeck via Reuters

Speaking ahead of England’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Miami FC at their training base, Tuchel said: It will be a match according to our rules. It will not be 90 minutes, maybe 60 minutes, maybe 2 x 30 or 2 x 25. It is to get some minutes into the legs of players who didn’t get minutes against Costa Rica.”

The Daily Mail have now revealed exactly how the match played out.

Tuchel decided to rest many England stars that played the majority of the game against Costa Rica, with the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham not involved.

But, despite not being at full strength, the Three Lions cruised to a 6-0 victory. The match was split into two sections, with England winning the first half 1-0 and the second 5-0.

Ivan Toney, who was an unused substitute against Costa Rica, was the star man. The Al-Ahli striker scored three times, including one ‘worldie’ from long range.

Liverpool wonderkid Rio Ngumoha, considered one of the best young players in world football, is also said to have scored ‘a breathtaking strike from distance.’ The 17-year-old was not included in England’s 26-man squad for the World Cup and will leave camp this weekend, as will Ethan Nwaneri, Alex Scott and Josh King, who also featured in the game.

Jordan Henderson and Nwaneri also got on the scoresheet, while Marc Guehi and Kobbie Mainoo are both said to have impressed.

There were no injuries reported, with the Daily Mail concluding by saying ‘observers were impressed with the fitness, touch and intensity of England.’

Among the players that turned out for Miami FC was Englishman, Mason Tunbridge. The 25-year-old, who has been in the US since 2019, took a picture with Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.

Thomas Tuchel Happy With England’s Performance vs Costa Rica

Image via Reuters/Nathan Ray Seebeck

Tuchel shared his happiness at England’s win against Costa Rica on Wednesday. Speaking after the match, he said, per the Guardian:

“I wished for that, I demanded that; I said before the match we want to push it to the next level, from intensity, commitment, cohesion, and we did that. We could see the impact of the Arsenal players coming into camp and we could see the impact of training.

“We see the adaptation to the heat and we see things clicking, but we demanded it today from the players to take the next step and they did. The result takes care of itself, but we did it on a high level.

“I think we set the tone today in the meeting and the players were ready to follow, to have the next step in intensity and the way we play, to push ourselves and get a good feeling out of it. The energy in the stadium was amazing. I thought: ‘OK, if we can really play like this and grow into the tournament and have this kind of cohesion and brotherhood and team spirit that we showed today, then we will have an amazing connection with the fans.”

England fly to Kansas City on Saturday morning. They begin their World Cup campaign on Wednesday, June 17, when they take on Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Manchester United have put a former Manchester City academy player on their transfer shortlist this summer, according to reports.

On Wednesday, the Red Devils confirmed their retained list ahead of the 2026-27 season. The departures of Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho were confirmed following the end of their contracts.

Casemiro is also leaving the club but that had already been announced before the end of the campaign.

United are keen to add at least two midfielders to their squad for next term after they finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League.

Michael Carrick has been appointed as permanent manager on a two-year deal as he prepares for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.

Man Utd target Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

via Reuters

According to Sky Sports, Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a player on United’s transfer wishlist.

The 25-year-old Nigeria international has been with the Italian club since 2024, joining on loan for one year before his move was made permanent 12 months ago.

He is familiar with English football after coming through the academy at Man City. He never made a senior appearance for the Etihad Stadium outfit but spent three years at Sheffield Wednesday after leaving City.

He has two years to run on his contract with Lazio but he is open to a Premier League switch, having spent his formative years in England. United have several options on their shortlist ahead of the new season, with Elliot Anderson remaining a key target.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru could prove to be bargain

Jim Rassol/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Nottingham Forest are standing firm on their valuation of the England international, however. It has been reported that an offer worth up to £120m has been submitted by City.

Forest want £120m guaranteed with City’s offer standing at £106m plus add-ons.

Meanwhile, Dele-Bashiru is only valued at around £15.5m by Lazio. If United are seeking two additions to their midfielder, the former Owls midfielder could prove to be a shrewd option.

Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri was full of praise for the player earlier in the season when he scored in the Coppa Italia semi-final. After the game, the ex-Chelsea manager highlighted the player’s lightning-quick pace, as he revealed the midfielder can ‘reach speeds of 36 km/h‘.

The moves of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo to Arsenal and Chelsea three years ago have inflated the midfield market and the Red Devils could find joy in signing a player such as Dele-Bashiru.

There is no doubting Anderson’s obvious quality, but signing players for huge fees can prove risky while they are also deals which can take up a lot of time.