Rashford left in limbo? Man Utd don’t want him back as Barcelona line up alternatives

Robin Bairner

• 11 Mar 2026 04:30 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Marcus Rashford faces the prospect of another period of uncertainty as Manchester United have decided they have no use for him while Barcelona are planning for a scenario in which they do not sign him.

Rashford left Man Utd for Barca last summer after being frozen out under Ruben Amorim, with the Catalan side agreeing a €30 million purchase option.

But despite this figure being cheap, there is no certainty that the Blaugrana will sign the England attacker.

Barcelona’s Rashford alternatives

Barcelona have lined up two alternative options to Rashford, with Marca claiming that Mallorca’s Jan Virgili and Ez Abde of Real Betis are serious priorities.

The Catalan side already own a percentage of each player’s rights, so they represent comparatively cheap alternatives. In Abde’s case, Barca own 20% of the player, while they have 50% of Virgili’s rights after a €3.5 million sale to the Balearic club last summer.

Everything hinges on presidential election

Rashford faces a stumbling block in completing his move to Barca. Although the purchase price has been locked in stone for some time and personal terms have been agreed, the club may still decide against signing him.

Much rests on the outcome of the presidential election this Sunday, in which incumbent Joan Laporta goes up against Victor Font. Should Laporta emerge triumphant, it is expected that the Blaugrana will sign Rashford, although a recent dip in form is being monitored by sporting director Deco.

Man Utd don’t want Rashford back

Despite Rashford’s resurgence at Camp Nou, Man Utd do not want him back if Barcelona decide against signing him, according to respected expert Andy Mitten writing for The National.

He reports: “The club also dismiss rumours that Carrick wants Rashford back. Financially, a return is unlikely: Rashford’s contract runs until 2028 and includes rising wages.”

What does this mean for Rashford?

Man Utd will seek to sell Rashford if Barcelona do not buy him. They believe that he will have plenty of suitors in Spain after an impressive season in La Liga.

The Red Devils likely believe that this scenario will allow them to get closer to market value for their academy product.

Rashford’s €30m Barcelona clause comes in well below his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €52.2m.

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