Marcus Rashford appeared relaxed and untroubled by off-field issues while preparing in temperatures exceeding 30C in Kansas City.

Club issues must wait as his attention stays fixed on international duty for the coming weeks. Rashford is fully committed to England's campaign.

During a brief media window on Sunday he joined Jude Bellingham, Ivan Toney, Djed Spence, Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon in a passing exercise ahead of the World Cup Group L match against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday.

Concentration must remain on the pitch. Monday brought no fresh information that Rashford had not already anticipated.

Barcelona let the deadline slip for exercising their 26 million pound option to convert the loan into a permanent transfer from Manchester United.

The outcome surprised nobody.

From 1 July, when Rashford hopes to be gearing up for a last-32 tie in Atlanta, he reverts to Manchester United status under a 325,000 pound weekly deal with two years remaining.

The key question is what follows next.

Theoretically Rashford could head back to his former club and pick up where he left off.

Head coach Michael Carrick is familiar with the forward after serving as teammate, coach and briefly as caretaker manager following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's exit in 2021.

When questioned about Rashford in April, Carrick confirmed no verdict had been reached on the player's future.

He stated that every squad member would receive support to develop and improve.

Reality is more complicated.

Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe aims to reduce the wage bill, a challenge given Rashford's substantial salary.

United have already handed the number 10 shirt to Matheus Cunha and show no sign of reclaiming it.

Squad planning for the summer proceeds on the assumption Rashford will depart.

Complications remain. Twelve months earlier Ruben Amorim isolated Rashford from the main group along with Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.

Last week Fifa and Fifpro agreed a memorandum confirming that sidelined players may request release and full contract settlement.

Any repeat of last season's isolation appears unlikely.

Bookmakers rate a further spell away from Manchester United as the likeliest route.

Rashford registered 14 goals and 14 assists during his Barcelona loan and made a notable impact despite not featuring every week.

England colleague Anthony Gordon's 69.3 million pound arrival from Newcastle appears to have reduced Rashford's prospects at the Nou Camp. Yet if Thomas Tuchel accommodates both in the national squad, Hansi Flick might do likewise.

Barcelona remain unwilling to meet the 26 million pound fee.

United currently have no plans to discuss alternative arrangements.

Urgency will build only in the three-week window after England's World Cup exit and before pre-season begins. By then goalkeeper Andre Onana may provide a model for how high earners could move on.

The transfer window closes on 1 September.

A firm decision on Rashford must be reached by then.

Until that moment his focus stays on England duty.