Marcus Rashford is having a pretty decent league campaign at Barcelona, and his numbers back this up. For most Manchester United fans, the Mancunian seems to have rediscovered his mojo at Barcelona.
Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona stats for the 2025/26 season
It is this realisation that has some feeling the Red Devils are being conned by allowing Rashford to join Barcelona for €30 million (£26m). Some feel he should be going for at least €50 million (£43m).
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Unfortunately, United cannot ask the Catalan giants for more; the option to buy was already agreed. Interestingly, Barca, with their tricky financial situation, are still finding it hard to pay it, and there have been suggestions they were hoping for a further discount, if not to sign the forward on another season-long loan.
While United are standing firm on the agreed option-to-buy fee, it is ultimately up to the La Liga heavyweights to decide whether to go through with the deal.
INEOS are ready to pocket that €30 million (£26m) and will give Barcelona the opportunity to sanction it, but they know they can get more, with other top clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid still keen on Rashford.
A move to Camp Nou for the 28-year-old, then, is in the hands of the Spanish champions.
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Media pressure
But as they deliberate on sanctioning a permanent deal, it seems they are being pressured not to.
This is all too obvious given the Spanish media’s overreaction to Rashford’s performance in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Atlético, a win that still saw them eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Introduced in the 68th minute of that game, Rashford unfortunately ended up not being the game-changer or hero of the night, and he received some disappointing reviews as a result.
Mundo Deportivo questioned his desire, dedication and effort:
“He was supposed to bring an extra burst of energy, but he was left in no man’s land. It wasn’t very noticeable that Llorente had been on the pitch for many more minutes.”
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Sport questioned his mentality:
“Inoperative: The Englishman didn’t start, and when he came on, he didn’t contribute anything special. He lacks the character to be decisive in crucial moments.”
AS, meanwhile, appeared to seal his transfer fate:
“As usual, lots of fuss and nothing. He can’t continue next year.”
Despite the dependable figure Rashford has proven to be for Barcelona this season, it seems he has clearly not done enough to convince them he is worthy of being one of their own.
With his numbers this season, another top team would likely be showering him with endless praise. It makes little sense for the Hansi Flick-led side to be doubting him when he has proven he can contribute greatly to their project.
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Barcelona backing out of the Rashford deal works in Manchester United’s favour
And amid their doubts and the pressure not to sign him, this could yet prove to be a blessing in disguise for The Manchester Reds.
If Barcelona ultimately choose not to exercise their option to sign Rashford at that modest fee, United could be spared a transfer regret. They may be able to sell him for more, or even consider bringing him back, saving millions in transfer fees in their pursuit of a left-winger.
Feature image Clive Mason via Getty Images
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