‘Marcus Rashford surprise update as Man United fail to get Barcelona concession’
Marcus Rashford’s move to Barcelona isn’t quite as expected for Man United following new developments around the structure of the deal to take him to the Catalan giants.
Rashford has finally sealed his dream move to Barcelona after his arrival was officially confirmed by the club on Wednesday (23 July).
His Red Devils career had reached a low point in recent months, after a fallout with boss Ruben Amorim meant he departed the club for the first time in his career to join Aston Villa on loan in January.
Former United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 7 July that Rashford looked increasingly likely to move to Barcelona on loan this summer, with the forward preferring said switch over any other.
The Catalan giants then made the Red Devils outcast their main transfer target amid similar interest from Juventus, and now his move has been confirmed as a season-long loan deal with an option for Barca to buy him set at £26million [Sky Sports] at the end of the campaign.
No penalty fee for Man United if Barcelona don’t sign Rashford
Rashford will be looking to rediscover his previous form under Hansi Flick in Spain, and Barca will feel like they have very little to lose in financial terms with his loan deal, especially if it does not work out and he struggles to make his mark.
It was claimed by the BBC (23 July) that La Liga’s champions would be line to pay a €5m (£4.3m) penalty fee if they do not take up the option-to-buy in his loan contract, yet a contrasting report has now emerged.
The Athletic have stated that the deal does not in fact include a €5m penalty fee if Barcelona decide not to trigger that option, and so it is effectively a free hit for them regarding his form and whether he takes to the league or not.
The clause is relatively common in today’s game, and Man United inserted a penalty fee into Jadon Sancho’s loan move to Chelsea which was then taken up in June, yet they have failed to potentially earn a similar concession as Rashford joins Barcelona.
Barcelona move suits Rashford right now
Football Insider verdict
The last few years of Rashford’s career have certainly not gone to plan, but his spell at Villa saw him back playing near his best at times in a much more settled and less pressure-driven environment compared to that of Man United.
Rashford was given extra time away from the Red Devils’ Carrington base prior to pre-season, then told to train away from the first-team players while he tried to seal an exit, so there is obviously no future for him at the club as long as Amorim is in charge.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 426 | 138 | 77 |
The 27-year-old was believed to favour a move to a team that is competing for titles, so Barca is seemingly a perfect fit, and he now needs a stellar season to thrust himself back into Thomas Tuchel’s England plans ahead of next year’s World Cup.
He will also undoubtedly benefit from a change of scenery and culture, and the chance to compete for the top prizes alongside the best players is also something that he has not had in a long time, if ever, at Old Trafford, so it is no wonder that he has pining for the move all summer.