Marcus Rashford has made a firm call on his immediate future — and surprise, surprise, it does NOT involve a return to Manchester United.
According to an exclusive report from The Touchline, the England forward has turned down renewed interest from Old Trafford, unconvinced by United’s current sporting direction and believing his ambitions are better served elsewhere.
That “elsewhere” is Barcelona.
Rashford is confident he is part of a project capable of competing for the biggest honours in European football, and his belief is rooted in both the club’s environment and the leadership of head coach Hansi Flick.
The former Bayern Munich boss is viewed by Rashford as the right figure to guide him toward continental success.
United Interest Rekindled
and Rejected
Manchester United’s interest has intensified in recent days following changes in the managerial setup. Interim head coach Michael Carrick is understood to be keen on bringing Rashford back next season and has directly communicated that desire to the player.
Carrick reportedly sees Rashford as a central figure in rebuilding United’s attacking identity.
However, the approach has failed to shift Rashford’s stance. From his perspective, the lack of clarity around United’s long-term vision remains a major concern.
The forward is unwilling to step back into a project he feels is still searching for direction, especially when contrasted with the stability he currently enjoys in Spain.
Happy, Settled and Focused at Barca
Rashford has previously spoken openly about his affection for Barcelona and the city since arriving last summer. In an interview with SPORT last month, he made his intentions clear.
“What I want is to stay at Barca. It’s the ultimate goal,” Rashford said. “The purpose is to win. Barca is a huge club, built to win titles.”
He added: “Everything has been fantastic with the staff and my teammates. I’m totally focused on helping the team win trophies.”
Barcelona Hold the Cards
Contractually, Barcelona are firmly in control. The club hold a purchase option that allows them to sign Rashford permanently for an agreed fee of €30 million. Once triggered, Manchester United would have no legal avenue to block the move.
United’s only hope would be persuasion: convincing Rashford to walk away from Barcelona. For now, though, that door appears firmly shut.
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