When Marcus Rashford trudged off against Viktoria Plzen back in December 2024, it was clear that something wasn't right with the Manchester United forward.

The smile had long since disappeared from the Englishman's face, while there'd been a stark decline in form following his prior 30-goal heroics in 2022/23.

His subsequent exclusion from the matchday squad for the derby looked to be the final straw, with Ruben Amorim ruthlessly wielding the axe in a bid to clean up United's act off the pitch.

A lengthy exile ensued, and yet here we are again, with Rashford back in the mix under Michael Carrick. But is he here to stay?

Were Man Utd right to reintegrate Marcus Rashford?

Those seeking to pin the blame for United's recent woes on the return of Rashford are acting a little unfairly, the 28-year-old having been a bright spark in a difficult period for the Red Devils.

Denied an assist against Ipswich Town following Bryan Mbeumo's agonising miss, he was also a real thorn in the side of Brighton and Hove Albion in that Carabao Cup clash, looking like Rashford of old in mere moments.

And yet, for any forward, their currency is goals and assists, and the academy graduate doesn't have any to speak of so far, notably missing a gilt-edged chance to equalise late on in that meeting with the Seagulls.

He has perhaps disrupted the forward line, with Matheus Cunha shifting into an ill-suited central role, although that has more to do with the injury woes of Amad and Benjamin Sesko, rather than to do with Rashford himself.

At a time when transfer fees are at a premium - as seen in Tottenham Hotspur's £75m buy option for Mykhailo Mudryk - bringing back Rashford makes sense amid the need to bolster the forward line, the Three Lions star undoubtedly proving a success back in Barcelona.

The decision to reintegrate has its merits, undoubtedly, although it remains to be seen whether this is a short-term fix or not.

How long does Rashford have left on his Man Utd contract?

Whatever the opinion of United's polarising number nine, losing him to the Catalan side on a permanent basis, for a mere fee of £26m, would have been a dismal piece of business.

At his best, Rashford still remains among the best in his position in the Premier League at the very least, with Carrick right to suggest that he can be like a 'new signing' this season.

The bigger concern is more to do with whether he warrants his reported £300k-per-week contract, and as to whether INEOS should extend his deal.

Considering his current contract expires in 2028, if United really are planning to keep him around for the long term, fresh terms will have to be offered sooner rather than later.

Knowing how Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co operate, having dismissed high earners like Casemiro and Jadon Sancho, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Rashford suffer a similar fate.

Indeed, his position is also likely to be threatened by those emerging from the academy ranks too.

Man Utd already have the perfect Rashford replacement brewing

United, under the weight of Glazer ownership, do appear to be being left behind financially, with the club's summer spending having been dwarfed by the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs.

INEOS went big on the midfield unit, yet have left other areas looking so short on depth and quality, with just one injury to Amad, alongside a further setback for Sesko, having caused chaos in the forward line.

As ever in the modern era at United, it might fall on Carrington to pick up the pieces and plug the gaps, with the club thankfully boasting a string of exciting young talents.

JJ Gabriel, a potential solution off the left, looks to be heading elsewhere by all accounts, although fellow teenager, Noah Ajayi, could be the man to replace Rashford before too long.

Indeed, it was announced by the club on Friday that the 17-year-old Ajayi had penned his first professional contract on a long-term basis, cementing his future at Old Trafford.

It was telling that United made such a big deal of that news, flooding social media with images of the young winger, providing an insight into just how highly regarded he is at Carrington.

A unique profile of left-winger, at 6 foot 2, the promising German has sparkled in the youth ranks of late, featuring heavily under U18s boss Darren Fletcher, while also earning minutes at U21 level too.

At his current age group, he's scored ten times in 28 recorded games, as per Transfermarkt, notably netting in the U18 Premier League this season against Newcastle United.

His height and playing style ensures he can flit nicely between operating off the left or even as a central striker, ensuring he very well could be a direct threat to Rashford - and Matheus Cunha - in that left channel.

The bombshell development regarding Gabriel appears a significant setback, but in Ajayi, United have another sensation to focus on, with it undoubtedly a real coup that he has signed a long-term contract with the club.

At a time when Rashford's own future will soon be under scrutiny again, with less than two years on his deal, it does appear that the Red Devils already have a succession plan in mind.