Marcus Rashford’s spell at Barcelona has gone extremely well so far, but a new sobering reality is starting to take shape, which will have Man Utd preparing for a nightmare scenario.
Barcelona have been happy with Marcus Rashford’s spell so far, with the Englishman immediately becoming a trusted player under Hansi Flick.
He repaid that trust with some brilliant performances, and he currently leads assist charts in Spain alongside Lamine Yamal.
However, in their most recent 3-1 victory over Atletico, a new reality for Rashford is starting to take shape, and it’s one that Man Utd won’t like very much.
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona, Pablo Barrios of Atletico Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona v Atletico Madrid at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on December 2, 2025
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Marcus Rashford’s new reality at Barcelona
Amidst Rashford’s hot start at Barcelona, it’s often forgotten that it came about unexpectedly, as Rashford took advantage of an injury crisis at the club.
It started with Robert Lewandowski’s injury, and also engulfed Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, and Fermin Lopez at different points during the season.
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It’s a testament to Rashford’s fitness that he took advantage of this situation and played well, but once those players returned, Flick was always going to go with his tried-and-trusted crop.
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That posed a £40 million Rashford dilemma for United, and this sobering new reality is already starting to set in for him.
Against Atletico, Rashford was back on the bench as Raphinha continued to impress in a starting role. The Man Utd loanee came on in the 67th minute, and to make matters more difficult, fellow sub Ferran Torres scored after coming on.
It leaves Rashford firmly in “impact sub” territory, a status that his wages, profile, and potential transfer fee don’t justify for Barcelona.
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Rashford’s £25 million option to buy for Barcelona looked like a steal at one point, but it’s increasingly looking like a remote possibility now.
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Not only is Barcelona’s financial situation still precarious, but Rashford’s insistence on joining only Barcelona will have Man Utd preparing for a nightmare scenario.
That scenario is Rashford’s return to Old Trafford next summer, only for him to dig his heels in and wait for Barcelona to negotiate another loan move.
His contract expires in 2028, so he holds all the leverage, and Ruben Amorim’s public exclusion leaves the club in a no-win position.
Barcelona know this too, and with returning players, his diminishing importance to the team only strengthens their case further.
Strap in for another tiresome saga next summer as Rashford rejects offers from everywhere to force another loan move to Barcelona.