Marcus Rashford joining Barcelona from Manchester United would be an 'absolute robbery', according to Rio Ferdinand, if they only pay a £26million transfer fee
Marcus Rashford looks on during a Barcelona match
Marcus Rashford is having a productive loan at Barcelona(Image: Aitor Alcalde Colomer, Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Rio Ferdinand has all but written off any chance of Marcus Rashford returning to Manchester United this summer. Instead, he now wishes the England international well as he continues to shine at Barcelona.
Rashford, 28, is currently on loan at the Catalan club for the season, but they hold an option to make the move permanent for £26million this summer - a price the ex-United defender calls a "steal". The forward got himself on the scoresheet against Atletico Madrid in their dramatic 2-1 comeback victory last weekend.
That strike was his 11th goal of the short-term spell. Rashford has also provided a further 10 assists to his Barcelona teammates.
The latest effort left Ferdinand full of admiration and sparked a debate about his long-term future at Old Trafford. Speaking on his YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents, he said: "Oh, what a goal, what a good goal, man."
When pressed on whether he would welcome Rashford back to United, Ferdinand replied: "Absolutely if Marcus Rashford is playing like that. That goal there is Marcus Rashford, right?
"That isn't a surprise. We're not sitting here going, 'Oh my God, did you see Marcus Rashford, what he did the other day? Never knew he could do that.' No, no, that's what we expect.
Rio Ferdinand speaking
Rio Ferdinand believes Marcus Rashford will want to stay at Barcelona(Image: Rio Ferdinand Presents)
View 2 Images
"That's what Marcus Rashford has made us feel is the norm with him, because he's that good, potentially, he's that good, right? It's just that we hadn't seen it for a while at Manchester United, and there are obviously reasons behind that, but let's forget that now, that page has turned, right?
"He's now at Barcelona, 10 goals, 10 assists this season. What a loan signing he has been for Barcelona, if you look at it like that, and so, would you have that Marcus Rashford back? 100%, right? But I think that ship has sailed and I think Marcus Rashford is looking forwards.
"I think deep down, he'll want to go to Barcelona, and I just hope that actually materialises for him, because I think when you look at it like that, is he playing consistently like the Marcus Rashford that we knew before? I'd argue probably not."
Rashford has clocked up 40 appearances across all competitions this season for Barcelona, yet just over half, 22, have been starts. He also featured in just one of their last three matches before the international break.
Ferdinand, however, believes the Catalan club should still secure his permanent signature from United this summer. He explained: "We're seeing more glimpses of it that would be making me go, 'I'll bet on that', and if I'm at Barcelona, I'll take him."
Given the fixed price required to complete that deal, Ferdinand is adamant it represents outstanding value, and he hopes it works out for the player personally as well. Ferdinand went on to say: "If Barcelona get him for the reported £26million that we're talking about, and they get that version of Marcus Rashford, that is an absolute robbery, it's a steal.
"So, as I said, I'll just say good luck to him. I want him to do well, you know what I mean? Because I've seen him grow as a young player at Man Utd, and good luck to him in that sense."