Man Utd news: Marcus Rashford transfer boost as Michael Carrick learns player's true feelings

The saga of Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United continues to roll on

Michael Carrick has been afforded a weekend break at Manchester United thanks to the FA Cup. The Red Devils were eliminated from the competition last month after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford.

With their top four rivals all in action across the weekend, United have been afforded a break until their next Premier League trip to Everton on February 23. Although all opportunities for silverware this season have now come and gone for United, they are in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League, which would represent a step in the right direction.

As the club's quest for a new permanent manager rolls on, with Thomas Tuchel the latest name to have ruled himself out of the running, there's plenty going on at Old Trafford. Here, Mirror Football brings you the latest on a transfer boost for Marcus Rashford, as well what one United star has been saying about Carrick.

Marcus Rashford transfer boost

Marcus Rashford has been a topic of conversation ever since his loan move to Barcelona at the start of the season. But the Spanish side appear to have given a boost to his hopes of staying there permanently in a statement about their Copa del Rey tie vs Atletico Madrid.

Barca highlighted several reasons why fans should be upbeat ahead of the game next month, including the return of Rashford, who missed the 4-0 first-leg drubbing with a knee injury. They referred to the Man Utd loanee as a "key player," hinting at his importance for Hansi Flick and potentially offering clues to the future.

The Spanish giants possess the option to buy Rashford outright for £26million at the end of the campaign. It's a scenario that seems increasingly likely, with the playing himself having admitted he wants to make the switch from United.

READ MORE : Man Utd have free run at manager Rio Ferdinand loves and who held secret talks with clubREAD MORE : Man City affected by FA Cup rule change after Marc Guehi plea ignored

In full, it said: "If all goes well, three key players should be available for the second leg on March 3: Pedri, Raphinha and Rashford. The Englishman looks the most certain, having missed the first leg purely as a precaution."

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

Benjamin Sesko confession

The Slovenian has yet to start a Premier League match under Carrick but that hasn't stopped him from making a significant impact. He's come off the bench in four of the five league games the former United midfielder has managed and scored two key goals.

Sesko followed his late winner against Fulham with an even later equaliser away to West Ham earlier this week. The striker appeared on the latest episode of Manchester United’s official podcast and waxed lyrical about his manager when asked about his brief experience working under him.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

Speaking on Inside Carrington, the 22-year-old said: "First of all, he’s an amazing person. That’s already meaning really a lot, but as well, a really good coach. And not just him, the whole staff that he has with him, they’re working unbelievably."

Discussing Carrick's coaching staff, he added: "They’re giving all the details that you need to improve, to get better, to know what to do in the game, because it’s important. And they’re always good with communications [sic], as he and the other staff. So, I’m really happy that he came here and also happy with what we have achieved around it."

Click here to read article