Harry Maguire insists Marcus Rashford would be welcomed back with open arms were to he stay and fight for his Manchester Untied future.
The 28-year-old’s career appeared certain to lie away from Old Trafford having been deemed surplus to requirements by Ruben Amorim.
Rashford was loaned out to Aston Villa for a six-month spell in January of last year, before earning a dream move to Barcelona the following summer.
The Spanish champions, however, passed on the option to sign the England international on a permanent basis earlier this summer despite Rashford enjoying a productive campaign.
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With Anthony Gordon having been signed for £70million, a return to Camp Nou looks increasingly implausible and Rashford appears destined to begin pre-season back at his boyhood club.
Under new management and with Michael Carrick now in charge, Rashford could yet perform a dramatic U-turn and resurect a United career that appeared dead and buried.
The versatile forward is understood to still maintain a number of Premier League suitors but Maguire insists his long-time teammate could yet thriveat United with Carrick at the helm.
He told The Rest Is Football: ‘I have an amazing relationship with Marcus and had some great times with him over the years.
‘I know what what a wonderful player he can be. It’s up to the club and up to Marcus and finding a mutual agreement.
‘Of course, if Marcus does come back we want him to come back and play and be happy and confident.
‘It needs to be right for himself, it needs to be right for the club but everyone knows what a great player Marcus can be for whatever club he plays for next season.’
Rashford did his reputation little harm with an eye-catching performance in England’s 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday night.
The Three Lions booked their place in the last 32 as group winners and will be strong favourites to progress at the expense of DR Congo.
Whether Rashford maintains his place in the starting XI at the expense of Gordon remains to be seen, but Maguire was impressed with the winger’s display.
He said: ‘I think he was so direct and positive with everything that he did. We spoke about the Ghana game where it was a bit slow and we had too much patience.
‘I think Rashy straight away took the game to Panama and I think first 10 minutes he put four or five crosses in the box and it wasn’t as accurate as he normally is and then he finds that one where Harry probably was unfortunate not to score.
‘He was a constant threat throughout the game and when he’s in that mood I think us England fans know how good he can be and I’ve had the pleasure of playing with him at Manchester Unite for many years so when he’s in that frame and in that direct mode he’s unstoppable on his day.’