The time was right for Manchester United to part ways with Marcus Rashford. The English forward was clearly disillusioned in the latter stages of his Old Trafford spell.
Barcelona came calling last summer, signing the 27-year-old on loan with a £26m buy option. He has been reborn at Camp Nou, bagging 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 games across competitions.
Recent reports suggested Barca are trying to negotiate a fee below the option included in the loan deal. The Red Devils aren’t interested in doing so and instead have come to a realisation that was staring them right in the face.
Manchester United rue rash decision
Rashford’s impressive spell in Catalonia is a reminder of his world-class talent. He has made an instant impact under Hansi Flick, who is keen on keeping him beyond this season.
According to The Daily Star, some of the higher-ups at Old Trafford have been “left frustrated” by the terms of the attacker’s loan agreement. The club are believed to value their academy graduate at closer to £50m.
When Manchester United agreed to send Rashford on loan to the Catalans, it was clear that the option to buy was low. INEOS rushed to get the Englishman off their wage bill.
Rashford purportedly earned £300,000 per week after signing a new contract in the summer of 2023. There has been an eagerness shown by INEOS to balance the books.
Bouncing back in Barcelona
The report goes on to suggest that the club “know several other clubs” are interested in signing Rashford this summer. The problem is that the player seems to be loving life at Barca.
Rashford rose through United’s youth ranks before debuting for the senior team aged 18 in February 2016. He went on to score 138 goals in 426 games, winning the Europa League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
The England international came off the boil in the latter stages of his Old Trafford spell. There was a clear shift in his mood, and his performances left much to be admired.
That’s why Rashford didn’t need much time to think about starting a new adventure in Spain. He has escaped the pressure of being the Red Devils’ talisman.
Rashford ready to end United career
The chances of Rashford returning to Manchester United are slim, given that he is reportedly voicing his desire to permanently depart. He is said to have confided in close friends that he has “no plans to return” to his boyhood club.
Rashford might even push for a permanent Barca move rather than be put back on the market for £50m. He owns and lives in a lavish flat in Espluges and is enjoying life in Catalonia.
There will be two years left on his United contract this summer. It seems increasingly likely that he has played his last game for the club.
