Manchester United have been in the headlines this week for the right and wrong reasons.
The Red Devils came into this week off the back of a win in the Manchester Derby, and, for the first time in a while, there was a feel-good vibe around Old Trafford.
However, that feeling quickly dissipated as United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Thursday.
Of course, between the games against City and Spurs, there was also the small matter of Marcus Rashford wanting to leave the club.
Indeed, Rashford spoke this week about wanting to leave Old Trafford, and a number of clubs are taking notice.
Arsenal are a potential destination for Rashford in the eyes of some, while Rashford won’t be joining Tottenham anytime soon as Spurs can’t afford his wages.
Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, David Ornstein has been discussing Rashford’s situation, and, intriguingly, the journalist says that Rashford was actually quite close to joining Barcelona at one point.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on Decem...
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Marcus Rashford almost joined Barcelona
Ornstein spoke about Rashford and what he’s heard about the attacker.
The journalist says he’s been hearing about a potential Rashford exit for a long time, and a move to Barcelona nearly happened.
“Marcus Rashford has been a topic of conversation in the market for a long time because of this feeling that people like me get from having conversations with executives, agents, sporting directors, scouts, players, that Man United would trade Rashford if the right offers were there,” Ornstein said.
“There hasn’t been, there have been admirers on the continent, Barcelona, I think a move was quite close at one point but it never materialised, PSG have been credited with an interest and elsewhere, I’m sure that would’ve been replicated in the Premier League.”
Marcus Rashford compared to Barcelona attackers
It’s fair to say that Barcelona had a lucky escape here.
Indeed, Barcelona aren’t in a financial position to be signing a player like Rashford only to underperform.
Rashford has been criticised this season, and the stats show that he’s simply not as good as what Barcelona already have.
Marcus Rashford stats this season Lamine Yamal stats this season Raphinha stats this season Robert Lewandowski stats this season
Games 15 16 18 17
Goals 4 5 11 16
Assists 1 9 6 2
League games only
At his best, Rashford is an ‘unbelievable’ player, but it’s been a little while since we’ve seen him perform to that sort of level.
The attacker has been seriously inconsistent as of late, and Barcelona are much better off with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski leading their line.
Whether or not Rashford can get a move to a club of Barcelona’s stature now remains to be seen, but it has to be said that it’s very unlikely given his recent form.
Rashford’s future is up in the air, and what happens next with the United attacker is anybody’s guess.
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