Marcus Rashford has officially returned to Manchester United following the end of his loan spell at Barcelona. The Catalan club decided not to activate the purchase clause despite generally positive performances from the forward last season.
The 28-year-old English striker faced salary negotiations challenges with Barcelona. Even though the transfer fee in the loan deal was reasonable, Barcelona chose to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, accepting higher fees but preferring Gordon’s salary demands.
Neither Rashford nor Manchester United appears completely satisfied with the situation. United is reportedly willing to let him go for the right price, but no concrete offers have emerged yet. Rashford himself showed a desire to stay at Barcelona, but the club was unwilling to agree on a salary comfortable for the player.
Manchester United also does not want to send Rashford out on loan again, so unless circumstances change or another club steps in, he is expected to commence the season with the Red Devils after England’s FIFA World Cup campaign concludes.
England will face Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals this Saturday, after which Rashford will have three weeks off before Manchester United begins their pre-season training on Thursday.
