Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa after falling out of favour at Old Trafford. And he may look to leave the 13-time Premier League champions for good this summer, with his future up in the air.
Rashford came through the United academy and bagged two goals on his Premier League debut in February 2016 as the Red Devils defeated Arsenal 3-2. He soon became a star at Old Trafford and went on to become a regular in the England team under Gareth Southgate. But after signing a contract extension in 2023, his form nosedived. He eventually headed to Villa Park and impressed under Unai Emery. But it appears his time in the west Midlands is over, and it remains to be seen where he is at the start of next season.
Villa had the option to buy Rashford for £40million following his loan spell at the club. But they made no announcement over a permanent transfer at the end of last season, with the Englishman writing an emotional social media post to thank fans following the conclusion of the campaign.
In May, it was reported that Rashford was unwilling to accept a pay cut to leave United, with the blockbuster star reportedly earning wages of around £315,000 per week in the north west.
But he then changed his mind on the conditions he would accept to force his way out of Old Trafford.
Rashford is thought to be keen on a move to Barcelona, with the player’s agent – his brother Dwaine Maynard – holding talks with the Catalan club’s sporting director Deco at the end of last month.
Deco explained weeks earlier: “We like Luis [Diaz], we like Rashford, and we like other players. When we go to the market, there are names that we know and that could improve the team.”
And Rashford was said to be rejecting every transfer offer that came his way in an attempt to hold out for a move to Spain.
Barca’s boss Hansi Flick and their sporting management were said to be seduced by the winger’s extreme motivation to join them.
But the transfer could hit a snag as Barcelona don’t want to pay the £40m transfer fee to sign Rashford, according to Bild.
And there have even been rumours that the La Liga champions could send goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the opposite direction to lower the fee.
It remains to be seen whether Rashford gets his move in the coming weeks. But the 27-year-old has been sent a clear message about his future by former United right-back Gary Neville, who explained on The Overlap show, it’s Called Soccer: “Marcus Rashford has to leave Manchester United. That ship has sailed and he needs to find himself another club.”