Marcus Rashford set to rejoin Manchester United squad ahead of pre-season tour

Manchester United are preparing for a demanding pre-season schedule ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, with fixtures planned across Norway, Sweden, Ireland, and Poland as the club builds towards the new season.

The Red Devils will begin their preparations with a clash against Rosenborg in Trondheim on July 24, before travelling to Sweden for high-profile meetings with Atlético Madrid in Stockholm and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Gothenburg.

Manchester United managing World Cup returns

New head coach Michael Carrick is currently balancing his squad preparations while several key players remain unavailable following their involvement at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Players involved in the tournament are entitled to a mandatory three-week rest period after their international campaigns conclude, meaning a number of first-team stars will return to club duty later than usual.

One player nearing his return to Manchester United is Marcus Rashford, who is expected to link up with the squad after England’s World Cup run ended in the semi-finals.

Rashford’s future remains uncertain

Despite speculation surrounding his future, there has been no breakthrough regarding a possible summer departure for the England forward.

Barcelona decided against activating the option to make Rashford’s previous loan move permanent following an impressive spell at Camp Nou, while his reported £40 million Premier League release clause also passed without being triggered before its early July deadline.

The situation has left Rashford facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford, although the latest indications suggest the forward is prepared to work with Carrick if he does not secure a move away this summer.

Rashford’s relationship with former manager Ruben Amorim became increasingly strained, contributing to uncertainty over his role at the club.

Rashford to join Ireland training camp

The 28-year-old is set to join the squad for a six-day training camp in Ireland, which will include a friendly fixture against historic rivals Leeds United at Croke Park on August 12.

However, his involvement when the competitive season begins remains unclear, with Carrick still assessing his options ahead of the new campaign.

For now, Rashford’s focus will be on returning to full fitness, impressing during pre-season, and deciding the next chapter of his Manchester United career.