England legend claims it may be time for United to rethink Rashford's future

With Barcelona opting not to make his switch from Manchester United permanent after a successful season-long loan, the Three Lions ace is firmly in the shop window.

He climbed off the bench on Wednesday night to wrap up a 4-2 victory over Croatia by scoring the final goal five minutes from time after a dominant second-half display from Thomas Tuchel’s men.

The strike came on the back of a 2025-26 campaign that saw him net 14 times in all competitions for La Liga winners Barca.

But with his time at the Camp Nou over, it remains unclear where 28-year-old Rashford will find himself next season.

Rumours suggest United are keen to move him on but club legend Rio Ferdinand reckons it may be time for the striker to be given another chance at Old Trafford.

Speaking on Rio Reacts, the former Three Lions centre-back said: “You see the maturity and the Barcelona phase of his career has worked out in a way that he now understands his role.

“He was given a role at Barca and told he was going to be an impact player. Sometimes he’d start but mainly that was his role.

“And with England, it looks as though that could also be his role. Anthony Gordon starts and he comes on and impacts the game.

“That’s a huge asset to the squad in this competition because you need those players, those role players, to play their part.

“When you’re an opposing full-back and you see Rashford warming up at 75 minutes, you’re looking over to the bench and saying, ‘Please get my number ready and take me off’. You don’t want that smoke.

“He ain’t coming on to see the game out. He wants to score goals. There’s no letting up here.

“United might have to start re-evaluating Rashford’s situation. I’m happy to change [my opinion about him].

“It seems like he’s matured. The time away from the club may have done him the good he needed — and it’s cleansed both parties. Is it time to shake hands and come back?”

With Ghana up next in Group L, Ferdinand believes England have good reason to be optimistic after seeing off Croatia.

Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

And he is full of praise for Tuchel, particularly after the German changed things up in the second half to push for the win.

Ferdinand, 47, added: “The most impressive thing for me was Tuchel and how bold he was with the substitutions. The amount of attacking players he brought on towards the end of the game completely changed the dynamic.

“I think the manager is the big difference [at this tournament]. He isn’t going to sit there and leave us on the back foot.

“He brought on Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers — there’s only France who can compete with that depth.

“Who would have said four years ago that Rashford and Saka wouldn’t have started the first game of a World Cup?”

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