Michael Carrick answers transfer question about Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford

Barcelona have the option to sign Man Utd loanee Marcus Rashford on a permanent transfer at the end of the season.

Michael Carrick said it was "difficult" for him to comment on whether it was a shame that Marcus Rashford now plays for Barcelona. In the summer transfer window, Rashford left Manchester United on a season-long loan, which Barcelona have the option to make permanent for £26million.

Rashford was left searching for a new club after Aston Villa opted against signing him permanently. Barcelona agreed to cover Rashford's entire salary during his stay at the Camp Nou.

However, reports in Spain claim Barcelona would like to negotiate a lower fee to sign Rashford at the end of the season. United inserted a £26m (€30m) option to make the 28-year-old's stay permanent, and it's understood the club intends to hold out to obtain that fee.

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Fans have speculated that Carrick may look to reintroduce Rashford if he does not sign for Barcelona at the end of the campaign, prompting a question about the circumstances of his exit.

When asked if it was a shame that Rashford needed to leave his boyhood club for a new challenge, Carrick said: "It's difficult to say, because circumstances at certain times that I have not been involved in.

"It's difficult for me to comment really. I think the fact he's come through the academy and had such a big impact here is a positive, and as a club, he's had some really big moments and good moments.

"And I've shared some with him in the past. So, football throws up certain things, and obviously certain players. You can't stay here forever, and things happen, that's how it is."

Carrick and Rashford were teammates for three years before the former midfielder transitioned into coaching. Carrick subsequently coached Rashford as part of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's backroom staff.

Rashford's time at Old Trafford ended after a breakdown in his relationship with Ruben Amorim, and the Wythenshawe-born forward was keen to join Barcelona last summer to play Champions League football.

United's transfer plans will depend on whether Carrick steers the club back into the Champions League this season, as Europe's elite competition helps to attract the best players on the market. The Reds are set to sign a replacement for Casemiro, who will be leaving after the expiry of his contract.

"I've got to say, Cas has been fantastic since that came really, and he's on and off the pitch," said Carrick. "Experience is a great thing if you use it in the right way, and again, I think over time being a senior player here is almost the responsibility of the example, and helping the younger players, helping the rest of the boys, and passing on your experiences in a positive way.

"He's been top since I came, in so many ways, and he's been a pleasure to work with. I look forward to continuing working with him for a few months yet."

He continued: "It's an important position, I think. I'm not being biased, obviously, having been a midfielder, but I think it is an important position to try and tie everything together, and you're connected to the whole team, and that's sometimes emotionally, a little bit mentally.

"And showing that composure and understanding of the game a little bit, and Cas has had a big influence within the group on that, so something we're fully aware of moving forward for sure."

Discussing whether Casemiro could continue to play at the highest level, Carrick said: "I'm sure he can, he's playing as good a level as he's played at for some time at the moment, and it's great to see in so many ways, as I said, the experience, technically, game understanding, just composure in certain moments, so yeah, he's in a really good place."

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