Manchester United is preparing to fold Marcus Rashford back into its first-team squad, with the forward set to resume pre-season training following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Prominent football journalist Fabrizio Romano described Rashford’s return as “100% confirmed” in a report dated July 13, 2026.

From Tezos jerseys to radio silence

Rewind to 2022 and Manchester United was deep in the blockchain game. The club inked a multi-year training kit partnership with Tezos, putting the layer-1 blockchain’s logo on one of the most watched jerseys in world football. A fan token tied to the club also emerged, riding the broader wave of sports-meets-crypto enthusiasm that had every major European club launching digital collectibles.

Fast forward to mid-2026 and United’s official global partners include adidas, Snapdragon, and DHL. Not a single blockchain company. No fan token promotions tied to Rashford’s return. No NFT drops celebrating his reintegration.

The fan token question

Manchester United’s fan token still exists, technically. But its relevance to the club’s day-to-day operations appears minimal at best. The Rashford reintegration, arguably one of the most significant squad decisions United has made this summer, generated zero overlap with the club’s digital asset footprint.

What Rashford’s return actually means for the squad

Rashford’s relationship with United has been the subject of intense speculation, with various clubs reportedly expressing transfer interest that prompted internal discussions about his future at Old Trafford. The decision to reintegrate him rather than pursue a sale suggests the club’s management sees value in keeping the homegrown forward as part of its evolving squad strategy. Romano’s confirmation of Rashford’s 100% availability for pre-season training effectively closes one chapter of uncertainty.