Club are keen to remove Rashford’s wages from their payroll and player also prefers a Barcelona stay
Marcus Rashford has no future at Manchester United and the club are closed to the idea of reintegrating him in the squad if Barcelona decline to sign him on a permanent deal this summer.
Rashford joined Barcelona on a season-long loan last summer after falling out of favour at Old Trafford. It was a move that both parties felt needed to happen and there is currently no hostility between the Manchester-born lad and his boyhood club, with relations reportedly as friendly as ever.
The England winger regularly interacts with his parent club on social media and this week he reposted the club’s message celebrating their qualification for the Champions League, adding a congratulatory message accompanied by a heart emoji.
However, people familiar with the club’s dealings claim their relationship with him has not altered United’s stance. The club are keen to remove Rashford’s wages from their payroll.
Many United players received a 25 per cent wage increase this week after Champions League football was secured and Rashford’s salary is set to increase with it, going back to the original £325,000 per week that would make him the highest paid player at the club.
Rashford himself is also against returning to Manchester. Barcelona hold an option to sign the 28-year-old permanently for £26m but have yet to make a final decision.
There is reasonable doubt over whether the club will do the deal and retain the forward. Rashford has produced 13 goals and 14 assists in 46 appearances for the Catalan side, but his off-the-ball work has reportedly left the coaching staff wanting more.
His place in the squad has also noticeably regressed. The forward has not started any of Barcelona’s last five matches. Barcelona have until 15 June to activate the purchase clause.
United head coach Michael Carrick recently refused to confirm whether Rashford still has a future at the club.
“I just think there are decisions to be made in time on certain things and obviously Marcus is in that situation,” Carrick said in April.
“But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided. And it will be, because it has to be at a certain point. But at this stage, there’s nothing to say.”
