Michael Carrick has the power to decide the future of Man Utd and Marcus Rashford.

Michael Carrick has a great opportunity to shed his "substitute" image and become the chief architect of Manchester United's future. Beyond just on-field results, the former midfielder is believed to hold the key to shaping the club's top management structure and the future of star player Marcus Rashford.

From interim role to a position at the negotiating table.

Despite lacking formal Premier League managerial experience, Michael Carrick is proving he's more than just a stopgap solution at Old Trafford. If he can lead the Red Devils to a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, Carrick will become the leading candidate for the long-term manager's job.

A breakout season would give Carrick immense leverage at the negotiating table. This isn't just about salary or contract duration, but more importantly, executive power. The lesson from Ruben Amorim remains: the conflict between the Head Coach and Manager roles, along with overlapping authority with Technical Director Jason Wilcox, led to his downfall. If successful, Carrick would have the credibility to demand real power, avoiding the pitfalls of his predecessor.

The Marcus Rashford dilemma: A bargain or a mispricing?

One of the hottest issues Carrick has to deal with is the future of Marcus Rashford. Currently, Barcelona are trying to negotiate a reduction in the £26 million buyout clause in the English striker's loan deal. This is a controversial situation in the transfer market.

From Manchester United's perspective, the £26 million figure was already a mistake because it was far too low. Rashford is in the prime of his career, has a contract until 2028, and plays for one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. Compared to Manchester United's £60 million spent on Casemiro at the age of 30, the £26 million price tag for Rashford is practically a gift to the Catalan club.

The price-cutting tactic and Carrick's decisive role.

Barcelona are taking advantage of Rashford's desire to play only at Camp Nou to gain the upper hand in negotiations. With no competition, they are not in a hurry to pay the full price. However, if Rashford shines at the upcoming World Cup, his value will undoubtedly skyrocket.

At this point, Carrick's role becomes extremely important. If appointed long-term, he could certainly intervene to bring Rashford back to Old Trafford instead of letting the star leave for a paltry sum. A motivated Rashford under the guidance of his former teammate Carrick could be a valuable asset to the new era.

This is a tense battle of wits between Old Trafford and Camp Nou. Whatever the outcome, Michael Carrick is gradually becoming the key to making the most important decisions at the Theatre of Dreams.