Top-paid Rashford is emboldened! Manchester United cannot exile him anymore, otherwise he could leave for free and they would have to pay 30 million in compensation.

Rashford's €30 million transfer clause to Barcelona has lapsed, yet the 28-year-old English winger is unconcerned about his future. He retains the upper hand and will keep striving to make his dream of returning to the Nou Camp a reality. Should that fail, he will simply remain at United, pocketing the club's top weekly salary of £325,000.

If Ruben Amorim were still coaching, United's situation would be even more awkward, because under the latest rules, the club can no longer bar Rashford or any other player from entering the dressing room or training with the team. Otherwise, Rashford could not only request a free transfer but also receive compensation for the wages remaining on his contract.

A year ago, Amorim placed Rashford, Sancho, Antony, Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia in the 'bomb squad,' forcing them to train separately from teammates and not share the dressing room. Of those isolated players, only Rashford remains at the club now.

However, FIFA recently signed a memorandum of understanding with FIFPro, allowing any player expelled from the dressing room to file a breach of contract complaint, leave for free, and demand corresponding termination compensation.

Take Rashford as an example: he has two years left on his contract with United at a weekly wage of £325,000, so if he were to be banned from the dressing room again, United might have to compensate more than £30 million in wages while watching him walk away for free.

This regulation aims to protect players from being isolated due to poor relationships with coaches. Forcing players to train alone was previously used effectively to push them out of the club, but now this practice is essentially considered 'abusive' and is prohibited.

Rashford is eager to showcase his abilities at the World Cup, which benefits both the team's overall interests and his personal development. But he is actually in a no-lose situation, because even if he ends up staying at United, manager Carrick will have to find ways to use him.

Some fans claim United could simply bench Rashford, but that would only hurt both sides. With two years left on his contract, if United makes him inactive for a long time, his value will only decline further. Ultimately, United will either compromise by lowering their transfer fee demands, or agree to a loan but require the other club to cover his wages in order to minimize losses.

Alternatively, letting Rashford return to Carrick's plans next season is obviously a bad move, which could affect the dressing room atmosphere and undermine the hard-won reduction in the wage structure. Premier League legend Alan Shearer said Carrick should not waste time bringing Rashford back into the United squad, especially since the player has no desire to play for the club he joined as a child.

'I don't think Rashford has anything to worry about during the World Cup, because he still has a contract with United. Even though the Red Devils don't want him and he doesn't want to stay there, the contract remains, so he won't be short of money,' Shearer said. 'Things will get resolved. I think both sides are playing games right now. Barcelona might be testing United, refusing to pay the transfer fee they want. Then, as the transfer window closes, United won't want to keep him and might have to cave in. Rashford has absolutely nothing to worry about. I believe he can focus on England's matches — after all, the World Cup is the biggest tournament.'

Like almost all British media, Shearer believes Rashford will have the last laugh. 'If I were Carrick, I probably wouldn't try to persuade Rashford to stay at United, because I think too much has happened before. I don't know the specifics, but I get the feeling Rashford doesn't want to be there. There have been a lot of things going on at United. I know they've changed managers, but the ownership hasn't changed. If Rashford is still at United next season, I would be very, very surprised.'