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Marcus Rashford’s return to Manchester United has created an uncomfortable situation. Barcelona decided against turning his loan spell into a permanent transfer, meaning the 28-year-old is back at Old Trafford even though there are doubts over whether he still has a serious future at the club.

A move within the Premier League is still possible, with Tottenham among the sides being linked, but former United defender Paul Parker believes Rashford now has to rebuild broken trust.

The forward still possesses the pace and finishing quality to affect games, but whatever he does next will be judged not only on talent, but also on his attitude and consistency.

According to PariuriX, as cited by Manchester Evening News, Parker labelled this Rashford’s last chance and raised questions over how his team-mates would react to seeing him return.

“The biggest thing is, how can he ever be trusted by his teammates again? He wasn’t doing his job properly but everyone allowed him to do it [and] now they have figured him out.

“Back in my time you would have been grabbed by one of the senior players and they would do something to you which you wouldn’t find very funny.

“He has been given this small chance to come back again and honestly he has only been given this chance because of the fact that Barcelona didn’t want him. They decided to spend more money on Anthony Gordon, which Rashford should be feeling embarrassed about. The moment they spent that much money on Gordon, he should be embarrassed.”

talkSPORT has reported that Tottenham could provide Rashford with a route back to regular Premier League football, although his wages and United’s valuation remain stumbling blocks.

Parker’s criticism becomes more personal than necessary, but his broader point about trust is a fair one.

Rashford cannot expect his reputation alone to restore his standing. He has to train regularly, accept competition for places and show the defensive work-rate required in modern systems.

A move to Tottenham could suit him if Roberto De Zerbi gives him a clearly defined role on the left.

Rashford is still a dangerous player when attacking space, and a new environment could ease some of the pressure that has built around him at United.

Any club interested in signing him, however, will need to be satisfied that he is motivated by football and not simply looking for a way out.