Michael Carrick has already reversed a former manager's decision to sideline a player in the past, suggestingMarcus Rashford's Manchester United career could still have life in it. Carrick was appointed as United's interim head coach last month for the remainder of this season, replacing the sacked Ruben Amorim.

It's his second stint in such a role at Old Trafford, having previously served as caretaker manager for three matches followingOle Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal in November 2021. During that short period before Ralf Rangnick replaced him, Carrick overturned Solskjaer's decision to completely freeze out his former team-matePhil Jones.

The United legend reintegrated Jones into the first-team after a year out of the first-team picture. Carrick clearly recognised Jones's worth, taking the centre-back with the squad to Spain for a Champions League win over Villarreal, despite him being ineligible for selection. Jones went on to make his actual return to the pitch under Rangnick in January 2022.

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Such an unexpected comeback might offer a ray of hope to those United fans who still wish to see Rashford, currently on a season-long loan at Barcelona, come back to Manchester. Academy graduate Rashford's United career appeared over under Amorim after a bitter spat with the former head coach.

He too was frozen out and hasn’t played for United since December 2024, having joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season.

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On his return, Rashford was not allowed to train with the rest of the squad last summer as he eventually completed his loan move to Barcelona in July, losing his United No.10 squad number to Matheus Cunha. However, there remains a slim possibility that Carrick, should he be appointed permanently at the end of this season, might decide that he could still use Rashford’s talents.

The 44-year-old worked with the England international for three-and-a-half years when he served as a first-team coach and later the caretaker manager, meaning he is fully aware of Rashford's abilities. The 28-year-old, who remains under contract at United until 2028, has 23 goal contributions in 34 matches for Barcelona this term.

It should be noted, however, that Carrick reportedly didn't consider bringing Rashford back during the January window, although that might be because his own future remains uncertain. As things stand, the former Middlesbrough manager's contract is still due to expire at the end of the current campaign.

United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are also reportedly preparing for Rashford's permanent departure in the forthcoming summer transfer window. Barcelona are prepared to pay the £26million buy option they negotiated with United for the forward last summer, which, even if Carrick takes over permanently, will spell the end of his career with his boyhood club.

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