Manchester United are facing a dilemma regarding Marcus Rashford's future as Barcelona haven't officially told the Reds they don't intend to trigger the forward's buy clause
Marcus Rashford
Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford (Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United are still waiting to told if Barcelona want to trigger the £26million clause that would make Marcus Rashford's transfer permanent, with a decision on his future now likely to come between the end of the World Cup and the start of pre-season.
The La Liga side have until June 15 to activate the deal after the 28-year-old spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Camp Nou. During his time at Barca, Rashford scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 47 appearances, helping them win the Spanish top-flight title for the second successive season. Despite this, it was reported on Wednesday that Barca are expected to opt against signing Rashford on a permanent deal.
However, there has been no 'official communication' between Barcelona and United regarding Rashford, and the Catalan club haven't informed the Reds of their decision. According to the BBC, the three-week period between the end of the World Cup and the beginning of pre-season is when the attacker's future is likely to be decided.
Barca, who last week splashed £69.3m on signing Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon, are adamant a final decision on Rashford is set to come before the £26m deadline next week.
United have said they are not willing to renegotiate and even sources close to Rashford feel the deadline is going to pass without an agreement, meaning he is due to return to the Reds for pre-season.
That is, of course, dependant on whether another club enter the race and attempt to sign him during the World Cup, where he has the chance to impress potential suitors for the next couple of weeks.
Marcus Rashford looks on
Marcus Rashford will be looking to impress for England this summer amid uncertainty over his club future (Image: The FA via Getty Images)
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Rashford, who is battling Gordon for the first-choice left wing spot in the England fold, has gained interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich this summer, and United are hoping to offload him to gain funds.
Even if a buyer doesn't arrive for Rashford during the World Cup, his future is expected to be resolved in the period between England's World Cup campaign ending and him returning to pre-season at United.
Rashford is said to have a strong relationship with current United head coach Michael Carrick - having worked alongside him as a player and a manager - and he claimed in April that no final decision has been made.
"There are decisions to be made in time on certain things. Marcus is in that situation," Carrick said as United prepared to face Chelsea in the Premier League. "At this point in time, nothing has been decided. It will be at a certain point because it has to be, but at this stage nothing has been decided."