(Credit: Imago)

James Murray

Tue 28 April 2026 19:00, UK

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Marcus Rashford could return to Manchester United as a permanent move to Barcelona is now in doubt. 

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the “big issue” is the England international’s huge wages.

Rashford joined Barcelona on loan from Man United last summer, with the Catalan side holding the option to buy him for around €30million (£26m) at the end of the campaign. 

However, the 28-year-old’s £325,000-a-week salary is believed to be a stumbling block in him sealing a permanent move to Camp Nou. 

The Athletic reported on 21 April Barcelona’s interest in signing Rashford has cooled, raising questions around whether a Man United exit will be possible this summer. 

How Marcus Rashford’s wages are presenting ‘issue’ for Barcelona

Football Insider revealed on 26 April Man United want to sell Rashford as his wages will increase if they qualify for the Champions League this season due to clauses in their players’ contracts. 

There has been a change in manager at Old Trafford since the forward’s departure, with Michael Carrick appointed until the end of the campaign following Ruben Amorim’s exit in January. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed what Rashford failing to seal a permanent move to Barcelona could mean for Man United.

“There are definitely issues,” said Borson.

“If you’ve got a situation where a player of his perceived quality can’t get a move even at £25m, that’s a big issue, isn’t it? Clearly, we know what the reason is.

“The reason is because his wages are worth somewhere around £25m a year all in probably, with all of the national insurance costs, so that’s the issue.” 

Why Rashford could return to Man United under new manager

Borson insisted Rashford could return to Man United under a new manager after previously struggling for minutes under Amorim.

“You would think that there would be three or four clubs in the Premier League who would take him for £25m, but not with a £325k-a-week salary,” said Borson.

“I wonder whether he can go back to United if there’s a different manager. It feels like that’s plausible.” 

Rashford has featured heavily for Barcelona this season, registering 13 goals and 13 assists in 45 appearances.

Meanwhile, the loanee has been in strong form recently, finding the back of the net in three of his past four La Liga outings despite primarily being used off the bench.