Marcus Rashford 'doing all he can' to stay at Barcelona as Manchester United face 'big issue'

Marcus Rashford's high wages would have been a major worry for Manchester United had the club not qualified for the Champions League.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, as the Red Devils may struggle to offload Rashford this summer.

Barcelona remain keen on signing the 28-year-old on a permanent deal this summer, but the Spanish club face huge financial issues behind the scenes.

Rashford is also willing to stay at Barcelona, although the forward is expected to have offers to remain in the Premier League from Man United's rivals.

Man United are set to be active in the summer market to strengthen their squad ahead of a return to the Champions League, and selling Rashford would make a difference to their transfer budget.

Barcelona 'trying to find a way' to sign Marcus Rashford

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs - states that Barcelona's exit from the Champions League will have "big ramifications" in the transfer window.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes Rashford's high wage demands is a "big issue" for Man United, and for any club looking to sign the forward.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: "It’s a big issue for Man United and that’s why Champions League was important for them, but also why it was important for Barcelona.

"Barcelona not making the semi-final and final, or even winning the Champions League, which in their minds, they would have set as one of their financial targets to at least make the semi-finals. Then that would probably be where they would have thought they had enough leeway to get the Rashford deal done.

"We all know Barcelona have got severe financial issues and Joan Laporta was stropping around at the Atletico Madrid game because he knew the impact of this on him. It wasn’t just losing the game, he knew this had big ramifications.

"Rashford may be one of those things that Barcelona have to go without. They’ll try and find ways around it. There may be some way to do it.

"The Rashford camp are obviously doing all they can and will be flexible to try and stay at Barcelona if they can."

Man United make transfer plan if Marcus Rashford departs

Man United may already have Rashford's replacement lined-up at Old Trafford, whilst the club are expected to lose fellow forward Jadon Sancho when his contract expires in the summer.

Sources have told Football Insider that AC Milan winger Rafael Leao is on Man United's radar, although they have yet to approach the Italian club over a deal.

Man United could wait until they have appointed their next permanent manager before accelerating any plans to sign the 26-year-old.

Leao has spent the last seven seasons at AC Milan, and has reached double figures for goals across the past five campaigns.