With Ruben Amorim sacked as Manchester United manager, there will be significant change at Old Trafford moving forward.
The Portuguese boss was in charge of the Premier League side for 18 months and made sweeping changes during his time at the helm.
Not only did Amorim install a clear tactical shift at the club almost immediately after arriving, but he made the necessary squad alterations to fit his style. His 3-4-2-1 formation required a specific profile of player at various positions, forcing Amorim to bring certain players on while offloading those he deemed a poor fit.
One of those frozen out of the club was Marcus Rashford, who came through the youth system as a lifetime United player and spoke repeatedly about his love for the Red Devils. When Amorim arrived, it was immediately clear that the boss had reservations about the application levels of a player whose form had already declined, and sent him on loan first to Aston Villa and then to Barcelona despite outcry from some fans.
AllSportsPeople breaks down why Rashford was sent away by Amorim and whether he could return now that there has been a change in manager at United.
MORE: Why was Ruben Amorim sacked? | Amorim's explosive Leeds rant | Cost of Amorim's exit
Could Marcus Rashford play for Man United again?
It's absolutely possible that Rashford could play for United again now that Amorim has departed his post as head coach.
There will need to be discussions after the season, as Barcelona hold an option to buy at the end of Rashford's loan deal for around €30 million ($35m/£26m). If the La Liga giants do not trigger that clause, the forward would return to Old Trafford and could look to win a place under whomever is eventually hired.
The 28-year-old has often spoken of his love for the club he came up through, even as he was sent out on loan first to Aston Villa and then to Catalonia. However, he also expressed relief at trying a new challenge away from England.
Why didn't Marcus Rashford play under Ruben Amorim?
Amorim made it quite clear that Rashford was unable to adapt to his tactics or his desired level of application. The now former United boss said quite harshly after his loan to Aston Villa: "I couldn't put Marcus to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it.
"Sometimes you have one player who is really good with one coach and the same player with another coach is different. I just wish the best to Rashford and [Villa boss] Unai Emery, and they can connect because he's a very good player."
It was far from the only time Amorim spoke publicly about Rashford's inability to perform the manager's requirements. "Our team should be so much better with Rashford. But he has to change," Amorim said in December 2024 while Rashford was still with the club. "If he changes, we are more than welcome to put in a talent like Rashford and we need it."
Marcus Rashford contract with Man United
Rashford's contract at United expires in the summer of 2028.
His loan deal with Barcelona runs through the end of the 2025/26 season, and the Catalans hold an option to buy for €30m, with no penalty for not triggering the clause.
His United wages under the current deal are around £325,000 per week, or around £15.6 million (€18m/$21.1m). These have been reportedly reduced for his loan to Barcelona, with the Catalan club covering wages of around €14m ($16.3m/£12.1m).
Marcus Rashford stats by Man United coach
Rashford played the most games at United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has been touted as a possible interim manager option for the club.
He also made over 100 appearances for Jose Mourinho and Erik ten Hag.
Rashford made just six appearances under Ruben Amorim before moving away from United.
Stats via Transfermarkt.
| Coach | Games | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
| Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | 135 | 55 | 36 | 10,001 |
| Jose Mourinho | 125 | 28 | 20 | 7,041 |
| Erik ten Hag | 113 | 42 | 21 | 8,352 |
| Ralf Rangnick | 22 | 2 | 1 | 1,178 |
| Louis van Gaal | 18 | 8 | 2 | 1,415 |
| Ruben Amorim | 6 | 3 | 1 | 392 |
Other players who could find a way in after Amorim sack
Rashford is not the only player at United who was pushed out of the club or out of the picture by Amorim during his 14 months in charge.
The one player still at United who could very likely find his way back into the side is Kobbie Mainoo, who was all but frozen out by Amorim. Mainoo was rumoured to be on his way out of the club, either on loan or permanent transfer, this winter, but now could potentially remain if he finds more time on the pitch under Darren Fletcher and whoever is hired as interim.
Another individual who could reverse course and stay is Joshua Zirkzee, who has seen more time than Mainoo but still seemed unhappy with his reduced role, according to various reports. Unlike Mainoo, however, Zirkzee has a lot of competition for time regardless of manager, with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo all likely ahead of him in the depth chart no matter who is picking the team.