Manchester United could soon find themselves dealing with a massive summer headache involving Marcus Rashford.
Anthony Gordon is expected to join Barcelona after a £69 million deal was reportedly agreed with Newcastle United.
That stunning transfer could directly impact the future of Marcus Rashford, who spent the entire 2025-26 campaign on loan at Camp Nou.
Barcelona could now decide against triggering the £26m option included in the loan agreement, forcing Rashford to return to United.
It would be a big setback as the 28-year-old is now set to earn more than £300,000 per week at Old Trafford after their return to the UEFA Champions League.
Highly respected journalists Laurie Whitwell and Andy Mitten both appear convinced that Rashford no longer has a future at Manchester United.
Whitwell said on The Talk of the Devils Podcast: “I will be very surprised if he is reintegrated to the United squad.
“I still think Rashford will hope for Barcelona to comeback.”
Mitten added: “Marcus has had a good season. I have never seen him so happy as he was two weeks ago when he won La Liga with the club.
“His stock is higher than a year ago. I have been saying for months that Barcelona will play hardball and try to renegotiate.
“If it is not Barcelona, there will be other top clubs who would be interested in him.
“Like Laurie, I would be very surprised if he pulled on a Manchester United shirt again.”
After Casemiro’s departure, Rashford could be one of the highest earners at the club.
He remains capable of producing match-winning moments that very few players in world football can replicate.
He has played more than 400 games for United and has been part of several memorable victories.
United supporters will always remember him fondly, and Rashford would almost certainly share the same emotional attachment to the club.
Despite that connection, it increasingly feels like the right moment for both parties to permanently move on.
A return to Old Trafford would make very little sense financially for a club actively trying to reduce its inflated wage structure.
United are already planning to sign a new winger this summer and Rashford does not appear to feature in the long-term vision of the project.
Barcelona are fully aware that United could eventually weaken their negotiating stance later in the transfer window and agree to another temporary loan arrangement.
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