Undesirable at Manchester United, but needed by Barcelona.
Marcus Rashford, an Outdated Trafford outcast for the reason that finish of final 12 months, is edging ever nearer to a dream transfer to the Nou Camp after a deal in principle was reached.
It isn’t a switch which comes utterly out of the blue, with Rashford reportedly lengthy having his coronary heart set on a change to the Spanish giants and saying solely final month he needed to play alongside teenage celebrity Lamine Yamal.
Barca, too, haven’t hidden their curiosity within the 27-year-old England ahead. In Could, sporting director Deco admitted they “like” Rashford and advised he may “enhance the staff”.
However that’s the bit that at present has folks speaking – may he actually?
BBC Sport tries to clarify how Rashford finds himself getting ready to becoming a member of Barcelona and why they really need to signal him.
How did we get up to now?
Rashford’s departure from Outdated Trafford has been a comparatively very long time coming.
Supervisor Ruben Amorim dropped him for the Manchester derby on 15 December final 12 months – and he has not performed for United since.
Amorim later criticised Rashford for a perceived lack of effort, suggesting that he would somewhat give a spot on the bench to his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than somebody who “does not give the utmost each day”.
He joined Aston Villa on mortgage in January, making 17 appearances and incomes an England recall, however returned to Outdated Trafford final month along with his longer-term future nonetheless unsure.
Nonetheless, that uncertainty has been extra about the place he would go somewhat than whether or not he would keep, with Rashford one in every of five players who told the club they wanted to leave – and who were subsequently told to train separately from the remainder of the squad.
“There is no such thing as a doubt a fully-motivated, targeted and decided Marcus Rashford would stroll into Ruben Amorim’s staff,” mentioned BBC Sport’s chief soccer information reporter Simon Stone.
“However, in actuality, that Rashford has solely been seen for one full season since 2021 and the marketing campaign that led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer getting sacked.
“There have been indicators of the outdated Rashford throughout his half season mortgage at Villa – however there have been additionally video games the place he did not carry out so properly.
“Offloading an undesirable participant to Barcelona is weird for a membership in Manchester United’s place. However that’s the place they’re proper now. What they should do is maximise the chance.
“At Outdated Trafford, they can not fear about optics. They should ship a squad Amorim can drive up the desk.”
So why are Barca attempting to signal him?
If United, who completed fifteenth within the Premier League final season, don’t desire Rashford, why are La Liga champions Barcelona after him?
Barca have not precisely struggled for objectives over the previous 12 months, scoring 102 on their method to successful the league.
Additionally they netted 43 as they reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2024-25, the second-most in a single marketing campaign.
If something, their shortcomings had been on the again somewhat than up entrance.
However that hasn’t stopped them from searching for attacking reinforcements.
“Strengthening the left-hand aspect of the ahead line has been Barcelona’s precedence all summer time and, for a very long time, it appeared they’d achieve success in snapping up their primary goal, Nico Williams,” mentioned Spanish soccer author Andy West.
“However the Athletic Bilbao winger finally opted to signal a brand new contract along with his present membership, so Barca had been pressured to look elsewhere, with an tried transfer for Liverpool’s Luis Diaz additionally falling via.”
Whereas they’d have been ready to pay a price for each Williams and Diaz, there’s a monetary benefit to signing Rashford – the deal would initially be on mortgage with an choice to purchase.
“Barcelona’s long-standing monetary issues are nonetheless a difficulty and so they had been hoping to boost funds by promoting goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been supplanted by new signing Joan Garcia,” added West.
“However that plan has been foiled by the German veteran requiring again surgical procedure, which implies that signing Rashford on mortgage has change into much more attractive.”
Stone added: “If it’s a mortgage with an choice to purchase as anticipated, Barca cannot lose.
“Do not forget, Chelsea successfully loaned Jadon Sancho for a season, then despatched him again to Manchester United regardless of having an obligation to purchase after an inconsistent marketing campaign.”
How would he slot in to Europe’s most potent assault?
Rashford’s finest place has been broadly mentioned and debated, having operated each off the left-hand aspect and as a central striker throughout his profession.
However his capability to play in each positions is a part of the attraction to Barcelona.
“Barca are acutely aware that star striker Robert Lewandowski, who turns 37 subsequent month, can’t be anticipated to begin each sport,” mentioned West. “So Rashford’s skill to play as a centre-forward or a false 9 additional provides to his attraction.
“His fundamental alternatives, nonetheless, will come on the left wing, which has been an issue place for Barca ever since Neymar’s departure to Paris St-Germain eight years in the past.
“Within the present squad, Raphinha has been re-invented by coach Hansi Flick as a central playmaker, whereas Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres are unsuited to the left flank.
“So now Rashford has the prospect to determine himself alongside Raphinha, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal in Flick’s first-choice entrance 4.”
So can he nonetheless carry out on the similar stage as Barca’s different forwards?
Rashford has scored 138 objectives in 426 appearances since making his United debut as an 18-year-old in 2016, including an extra 17 in 62 video games for England.
He has huge expertise on the very high stage – and, at 27, nonetheless has probably lots of his finest years forward of him.
However potential is a phrase usually utilized in tandem with Rashford’s identify and never since 2022-23 has he reached the 20-goal mark in a season.
Regardless of impressing at instances at Villa Park, he nonetheless solely scored twice within the Premier League – a kind of a penalty.
“Barcelona know they’re taking a little bit of a threat,” mentioned Stone. “And it isn’t fully clear what their plan for Rashford is – it undoubtedly won’t be taking the place of Lamine Yamal.
“However additionally they know, at anyplace close to the highest of his sport, the 27-year-old, in principle approaching the height years of his profession, could possibly be a serious asset in La Liga and the Champions League.”
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Feedback, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform don’t essentially characterize the views or coverage of Multimedia Group Restricted.
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