Marcus Rashford joins Barcelona on season-long loan from Manchester United

Marcus Rashford has completed a high-profile move to FC Barcelona, joining the La Liga giants on a season-long loan from Manchester United. The deal includes an option for Barcelona to make the move permanent in 2026 for a fee of £30.3 million (€35 million). 

The England international, now 27, has agreed to a reduced salary, with Barcelona covering the full cost of his wages during the loan period.

This transfer marks Rashford’s first venture outside the Premier League, following a career entirely spent at Manchester United since his senior debut in 2016. He has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances, placing him 15th on the club’s all-time scorers list. 

Having trained with his new teammates earlier this week, Rashford is expected to be included in Barcelona’s squad for their upcoming pre-season tour of Japan.

Rashford’s exit from Old Trafford had been in the works for months. His last appearance for United came in December 2024, after which he was dropped by manager Ruben Amorim following the Manchester derby. 

Amorim openly questioned Rashford’s commitment and effort, famously stating he would rather give a bench spot to his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than someone not giving maximum effort. 

The forward later spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa, making 17 appearances and earning a recall to the England squad.

However, Rashford’s issues at United go back even further. Despite signing a five-year contract in 2023 after a standout 30-goal season, his form sharply declined. He managed only eight goals in 43 appearances in the 2023/24 campaign and faced disciplinary action on multiple occasions under Erik ten Hag. 

He was dropped for arriving late to a team meeting, and again for partying after a humiliating loss to Manchester City. A further incident involved Rashford calling in sick for training following a night out in Belfast.