Manchester United is currently awaiting news on whether Barcelona intends to activate the £26m clause that would make Marcus Rashford's loan transfer permanent. The Spanish champions face a deadline of 15 June to finalize the deal, following Rashford's loan spell last season.

As of now, there has been no official communication between the two clubs. Nonetheless, speculation has ramped up recently, suggesting that Barcelona may choose not to complete the signing. The club has already invested £69.3m in Anthony Gordon from Newcastle, who is competing with Rashford for a starting position in the England squad for the World Cup.

Manchester United has firmly stated they are unwilling to renegotiate the terms, and sources close to Rashford believe the deadline may pass without an agreement. This situation could put Rashford and the club in a precarious position, as he holds one of United's most lucrative contracts, which runs until 2028. Meanwhile, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe aims to reduce high salary payments within the squad.

Last summer, Rashford faced challenges under former manager Ruben Amorim, who placed him in the 'bomb squad' before his eventual loan to Barcelona. However, the relationship with current manager Michael Carrick is significantly stronger, given Carrick's history as a teammate and coach. In April, Carrick indicated that no decisions had been made regarding Rashford's future, expressing a desire to work with all players.

Even if the 15 June deadline passes, there is some leeway. Once England's World Cup campaign concludes, Rashford is entitled to a three-week break, meaning he might not return to United's Carrington training ground until early August. This timeline allows for further discussions regarding his future, with many sources suggesting a potential return to Barcelona under a different arrangement is still plausible.