Barcelona has indicated interest in signing Marcus Rashford, whose future at Manchester United is unknown.
The ‘phone hasn’t stopped ringing,’ according to a source close to Rashford, since it was revealed he was evaluating his future at United after he was left out of the Manchester derby defeat against City on March 6.
Regardless of the situation, it is widely assumed that Rashford does not want to leave United, and the move may prompt the club to begin talks about a new long-term contract.
Barcelona has already made contact with Rashford’s representatives to reaffirm their interest in signing the 24-year-old. Liverpool is alleged to have shown their admiration for Rashford.
United would be terrified at the idea of Rashford joining Liverpool, given no player has moved between the clubs since Phil Chisnall joined Liverpool in 1964. If United ever agreed to sell Rashford, it’s quite doubtful that he’d be allowed to cross the divide.
Rashford, who was born in Wythenshawe and came through the United system, would be hesitant to leave his boyhood club. Rashford’s contract at United expires next year, although the club has the option to extend it for another year.
With Osumane Dembele set to leave in the summer, Luuk de Jong and Adama Traore on loan, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turning 33 in June, Barcelona are in need of a long-term starting attacker. In January, Barcelona acquired Ferran Torres from Manchester City.
Barcelona has previously contacted Rashford’s representation prior to his four-year contract renewal in July 2019. The England international has also been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain as the club prepares to replace Kylian Mbappe, who is expected to join Real Madrid.
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Rashford has started three of the last 11 Premier League games, and his predicament was exacerbated in City’s 4-1 hammering, when Anthony Elanga began ahead of Rashford in his ninth league start. Rashford’s role on the bench was especially notable given the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial, and Mason Greenwood.
With the brittle Cavani set to leave and the 37-year-old Ronaldo’s future uncertain if the squad fails to qualify for the Champions League, interim manager Ralf Rangnick has already recommended United to pursue a younger striker in the summer.
Jadon Sancho’s better form has coincided with him starting on the left wing, which is Rashford’s strongest position, while Elanga has broken into the starting lineup following vital goals against Leeds United and Atletico Madrid. In the Champions League second leg defeat to Atletico Madrid, Sancho and Elanga started ahead of Rashford.
Rashford is training well and in excellent spirits, according to sources, but his form isn’t translating to matchdays. Some fans heckled Rashford as he walked out of Old Trafford after United’s loss to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, and he later issued a statement denying he raised his middle finger at them.
Rashford has five goals this season despite missing the opening two months of the season due to shoulder surgery.
