Ex-Man United coach Rene Meulensteen weighs in on Rashford, Zirkzee’s future | OneFootball

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Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has shared his honest take on the situations of Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee.

Rashford

Rashford is set to be reintegrated into United first-team training upon the completion of his post-World Cup break.

Clarity on his future is still pending after Barcelona opted against signing him permanently at the end of last season. Rashford spent 2025/26 with the Blaugrana, supplying 14 goals and as many assists as they retained their La Liga crown.

Still, Barcelona overlooked him in favour of a swoop for his England teammate Anthony Gordon.

Last month, Rashford fired a public farewell message to Barcelona, all but extinguishing whatever little hope remained of him continuing with the Catalan giants. There have been rumours of interest from elsewhere in Rashford but nothing has materialised just yet.

While a parting of ways remains the desired outcome by all parties, Michael Carrick is believed to be open to working with Rashford.

Meulensteen appeared on talkSPORT and stressed that there is a way back for Rashford at United.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant remarked, “I’ve always been in support of Marcus, because I know where he’s come from. As a young player, he came through the ranks, and those players that come through the ranks, they carry a special Manchester United DNA.”

“What has happened with Marcus is an interesting one. Did he lose the love for the club, or did he lose the love of the manager that he was working for at that particular time?”

“I think that just needs a very good conversation between Michael and Marcus, because I’m sure that Michael rates Marcus as a player, and he can still make a difference. If that is the case, and again, if they are aligned in terms of how they can best use Marcus, then there is an opportunity he could still stay. I can’t see why not.”

Meulensteen added, “There will be people saying he has to move on because he’s moved away, and there may be a little bit of feeling left that they’re not too happy about. But if Marcus comes in, he performs, he scores a few important goals, then everybody jumps on the bandwagon again.”

Zirkzee

A player Meulensteen is less enthusiastic about seeing at United moving forward is Zirkzee.

The Dutchman is looking increasingly likely to leave as links to Juventus continue to gather pace. According to Meulensteen, Zirkzee has hardly made his mark at United and a move to Juventus represents exactly the fresh start he needs.

“I’ve heard a rumour that he might be moving to Juventus, and I thought that would be a good move for him. It’s been evident that he hasn’t been a regular starter; he’s been a bit of a bit-part player.”

“I don’t think he has shown he is good enough to warrant being a starter for the coming season, especially with Sesko who has done so well under Michael.”

Meanwhile, United return to action on Saturday when they face Paris Saint-Germain.