Marcus Rashford transfer saga: Has the Old Trafford dance ended?

The stripping of the iconic No. 10 jersey from Marcus Rashford by Manchester United and handing it to new £62.5 million signing Matheus Cunha has sent shockwaves throughout the football world, a move confirmed by ESPN, Goal.com, and The Sun. For Rashford, a 27-year-old academy graduate who has worn the number since 2018, this decision signals a seismic shift in his relationship with his boyhood club. With Ruben Amorim overseeing a squad overhaul after United’s worst-ever Premier League finish (15th in 2024/25), Rashford’s future at Old Trafford hangs in the balance. Amid reports of his desire to leave, a loan spell at Aston Villa, and interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, this piece explores whether the Rashford era is over or if there’s still hope for redemption under Amorim?

The rise and fall of Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford’s journey at Manchester United began at age seven, culminating in 138 goals across 426 appearances. His 30-goal 2022/23 season under Erik ten Hag marked him as a symbol of United’s revival, but his form plummeted, with just 8 goals in 2023/24 and 4 in 2024/25 during a loan at Aston Villa. Rashford’s No. 10, previously worn by legends like Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, carried immense weight, but his public fallout with Amorim in December 2024—over “attitude and commitment,” saw him exiled to Villa. His 4 goals and 4 assists there earned an England recall under Thomas Tuchel, but Villa declined a £40 million option to buy, leaving Rashford back at Old Trafford.

The decision to give Cunha the No. 10, confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, is a clear signal from Amorim and INEOS that Rashford is no longer central to United’s plans. Posts on social media, claim that United want Rashford gone” for £40 million, reflect the club’s stance, with no firm bids yet received. Yet, Rashford’s reported willingness to return for pre-season and “give 100%,” per The Daily Mail, suggests a flicker of hope, even as Barcelona and Bayern loom.

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Cunha’s arrival and the No. 10 controversy

Matheus Cunha’s £62.5 million move from Wolves, where he scored 14 goals in 2024/25, marks him as Amorim’s chosen spearhead to address United’s scoring woes (44 goals in 38 Premier League games), per News18. Handing him the No. 10, a number Rashford inherited from Ibrahimovic, is a bold statement, with United sources insisting Rashford remains a “significant part of the club’s history,” per The Daily Mail. However, the move has sparked fan backlash on X, with @Ciproflaxacin01 calling it “disrespectful to a homegrown hero,” while @proff_g defends Cunha as “the future of United’s attack.” The Brazilian’s 2.3 shots per 90 and 0.38 goals per 90, per Transfermarkt, fit Amorim’s high-pressing 3-4-2-1, differs from Rashford’s 0.19 goals per 90 last season.

The jersey swap, not directly tied to Rashford’s exit, aligns with a broader clearout, with Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia also seeking moves. United’s delay of their pre-season return until late July to facilitate transfers shows Amorim’s ruthlessness. For Rashford, the loss of the No. 10 after wearing Nos. 39 and 19 earlier, feels like a public demotion.

Amorim’s vision: No room for Rashford?

Ruben Amorim’s arrival in November 2024 marked a turning point for United, but his fallout with Rashford over training standards set the stage for his loan exit. Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system demands high pressing and versatility, qualities Cunha and potential targets like Bryan Mbeumo (£40 million) and Ollie Watkins bring. Rashford’s 0.8 tackles per 90 and inconsistent finishing, clash with Amorim’s demands, and his £300,000-per-week wages strain United’s £41.6 million cost-cutting efforts.

Reports of no contact between Rashford and Amorim since January 2025, and United’s willingness to cover part of his wages for a £40 million transfer, suggest the door is closing. Barcelona, Rashford’s “dream” destination, are interested but prioritize a loan, while Bayern Munich’s interest offers a Champions League lifeline. Social media posts, like @henrywinter’s claim that “Rashford’s career is clearly away from United,” reflect a consensus that Amorim’s rebuild excludes him. Yet, Rashford’s reported commitment to pre-season training and a pay cut for Barcelona hint at a desire to fight.

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Any hope for Rashford’s redemption?

Despite the No. 10 snub, Rashford’s return to Old Trafford for pre-season on July 7, 2025, offers a slim chance for redemption. His 138 goals and status as United’s most successful academy graduate since Ryan Giggs, carry weight. The Daily Mail reports Rashford’s summer training in Marbella with a personal trainer, aiming to “stake his place,” and his England recall under Tuchel show he retains elite potential. United’s lack of new strikers beyond Cunha: Rasmus Hojlund is linked to Inter Milan, could force Amorim to reconsider, especially with a US pre-season tour looming on July 22, per ESPN.

However, challenges abound. Rashford’s insistence on Champions League football, clashes with United’s absence from Europe after their 15th-place finish. His frosty relationship with Amorim, with no communication since January, and the club’s clear intent to sell, make a comeback unlikely. United’s pursuit of Mbeumo and Watkins, and the exits of Garnacho, Sancho, Antony, and Malacia suggest a squad reset prioritizing Amorim’s vision over sentimentality. Fans on X, like @DeadlineDayLive, assert “no way back” for Rashford under Amorim, a sentiment echoed by @SkySportsNews’s earlier report of his need to elevate standards.

United’s financial constraints, with £162.1 million in operating expenses, necessitate sales to fund Amorim’s rebuild, per The Sun. Rashford’s £40 million valuation, potentially with United covering part of his wages, could ease Profitability and Sustainability Rules pressures, per Football Insider. The £62.5 million spent on Cunha and talks for Mbeumo (£40 million) and Watkins stretch the budget, per Manchester Evening News, making Rashford’s exit appealing. A move to Barcelona or Bayern could net United pure profit as an academy product, but his three-year contract (until 2028) gives him leverage to stay.

Conclusion

The reassignment of the No. 10 jersey to Matheus Cunha marks a symbolic end to Marcus Rashford’s era as Manchester United’s talisman. Amorim’s focus on a new attacking core, evidenced by Cunha’s arrival and pursuit of Mbeumo, leaves little room for Rashford, whose fallout with the manager and lack of Champions League football align with United’s push for a permanent exit. His desire for Champions League football,” shows his likely departure to Barcelona and Bayern offering. Yet, Rashford’s reported commitment to pre-season and proven quality, suggest a faint hope for redemption if he can mend ties with Amorim and adapt to his system. With United’s pre-season looming and no firm bids, the Rashford saga remains unresolved, but the odds tilt heavily toward an Old Trafford exit, closing a chapter for one of United’s greatest academy products.