Marcus Rashford's enjoying life at Barcelona this season and the La Liga giants have the option to sign him permanently next summer.
Marcus Rashford in action for Barcelona.
Marcus Rashford has impressed in the first half of his loan spell at FC Barcelona.(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United's decision to part ways with Ruben Amorim last week means specific calls made during his tenure are now being reviewed. Marcus Rashford's exit to Barcelona is one of them.
Rashford has not played for United since December 12, 2024. After being left out of the squad for the Manchester derby earlier that month, he joined Aston Villa on a six-month loan. An unfortunate injury meant he contributed to 10 goals in 17 appearances.
In the summer, Amorim and the club decided to axe him from the first-team. After weeks of speculation, the 28-year-old moved to Barcelona on a season-long loan with an option to make the switch permanent for €30million (£26million) 12 months later.
So far this campaign, he has scored seven and assisted another 11 in 27 appearances. Over the weekend, Rashford helped Hansi Flick's team win the Supercopa de Espana with a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid.
Back to United, though, and things have not gone as planned. Amorim was sacked after an explosive outburst following the Leeds United draw, meaning the manager who decided against Rashford is no longer at the club.
Now, Michael Carrick, Rashford's former teammate, is in interim charge until the rest of the season. Despite the arrival of an ex-colleague, the forward will see out the remainder of the season with Barcelona. But at the end of the campaign, there is a world in which he returns.
Marcus Rashford celebrates after Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid
Marcus Rashford celebrates after Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid(Image: (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images))
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United will appoint a permanent head coach for the 2026/2027 season; with Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto De Zerbi all among the candidates reportedly on their shortlist.
The cards are in Barcelona's hands, with them having the option to sign Rashford permanently. However, talkSPORT [via Mundo Deportivo] has claimed that a recent meeting between the two clubs has discussed Rashford staying in Catalonia, but in different circumstances.
Barca are said to be keen on negotiating a lower fee for a permanent switch this summer. If United refuses that proposal, their other option is to sign him on loan for the 2026/2027 season with an obligation to buy.
In a worst-case scenario for Rashford, he faces the prospect of returning to United. However, even if that does happen, can the two parties go back on their initial word? Despite scoring 138 goals in 426 matches for United, a potential reintegration seems unlikely.
Ineos and the main decision-makers at United were also behind his exit. That's a key factor.
Even if the temptation is there to return to England and seek a new challenge - if Barcelona is not on the cards - then it is the better choice for the forward.
Currently, however, Barcelona are reportedly happy with him and is set to buy him. For United, that means they'll receive close to £30million on a player that hasn't played for them since the end of 2024.