래시포드가 포함되지 않을 것이라는 예상 속에 팀 재건 작업이 진행되고 있다.

The deadline Barcelona agreed with Manchester United to trigger a £26m clause to turn Marcus Rashford's loan into a permanent deal passed without it being activated.

No-one expected any different.

On 1 July, when Rashford will hope to be preparing for a World Cup last-32 encounter in Atlanta, he will officially return to being a United player, with a £325,000-a-week contract that still has two years to run.

So, what happens now?

In theory, Rashford could return to his boyhood club and resume his career there.

Head coach Michael Carrick knows him well. Carrick has been a team-mate, coach and - for three games following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal in 2021 - hands-on manager of one of the recent star graduates of the academy.

When Carrick was asked about Rashford in April, he said no decision had been made about the forward's future.

He added: "Whoever's here, I want to work with them and help them to improve."

It is not quite as simple as that.

Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to bring wage costs down and that is not easy when the highest earner is on such a huge sum.

In addition, United gave Rashford's number 10 shirt to Matheus Cunha last season and are hardly likely to take it off the Brazilian.

The summer squad rebuilding plans are being pieced together in the belief Rashford will not be part of them.

Yet it is tricky. Twelve months ago, Ruben Amorim placed Rashford in his 'bomb squad' and told him to train at different times to the main group. He did the same with Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.

Last week, world governing body Fifa announced a memorandum of understanding with global players' union Fifpro. Within the detail, it was confirmed any player exiled from the main group can demand to be released – and to have their contracts paid up.

It is fair to assume ostracising Rashford this season is off the agenda.

Read more about the options for Rashford here