Unwanted at Man Utd but wanted by Barca – why would they sign Rashford?

At Manchester United, unwanted, Barcelona wanted.

After reaching a mutually beneficial agreement, Marcus Rashford, an Old Trafford outcast since the end of last year, is getting closer to making his dream move to the Nou Camp.

Rashford, who reportedly has a desire to join the Spanish giants and stated only last month that he wants to play alongside teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, is not a transfer that comes completely out of the blue.

The 27-year-old England international has shown no signs of interest in Barca. Sporting director Deco acknowledged in May that Rashford and his suggestion to “improve the team” were “like” him.

Could he really, though, be the one who is currently having people talk?

Rashford’s departure from Old Trafford has taken a while to come.

He was dropped by United manager Ruben Amorim for the December 15th game against Manchester, but he has since departed.

Amorim later criticized Rashford for his alleged lack of effort, saying that his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach should have a bench spot instead of someone who “doesn’t give the maximum every day.”

He made 17 appearances for Aston Villa on loan in January, earning a recall for England, but he made his return to Old Trafford last month despite uncertainty over his long-term future.

Rashford is one of five players who told the club they wanted to leave, and they were later instructed to train separately from the rest of the squad, with Rashford being one of five of them.

A fully-motivated, focused, and determined Marcus Rashford would undoubtedly join Ruben Amorim’s team, according to BBC Sport’s chief football newsman Simon Stone.

“But in reality, Rashford hasn’t appeared in a full season since 2021, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s firing campaign.”

During his half-season loan at Villa, there were indications of the old Rashford, but there were also instances where he struggled.

“It’s strange for a club in the position of Manchester United to transfer an unappreciated player to Barcelona.” But that is where they are at this very moment. Maximize the opportunity, they must do.

Why is Barcelona the La Liga champion if United, who finished 15th in the Premier League last season, doesn’t want Rashford?

Over the past year, Barca haven’t really struggled for goals, scoring 102 on their way to league victory.

In the Champions League semi-finals in 2024 and 25, they also managed 43 goals, which is the second-most in a single campaign.

Their shortcomings were more likely to be hidden than fixed.

But they continue to look for attacking reinforcements despite this.

Barcelona’s top priority all summer has always been to strengthen the left-hand side of the forward line, and Andy West, a Spanish football writer, claimed that they have long been successful in acquiring Nico Williams as their number one target.

The Athletic Bilbao winger eventually chose to renew his contract with his current club, forcing Barca to look elsewhere, with a failed attempt to sign Liverpool’s Luis Diaz as well.

There is a financial benefit to signing Rashford, who would initially have been on a loan with a purchase option, despite the fact that they would have been prepared to pay a fee for both Williams and Diaz.

West added that the club was hoping to raise money by selling goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been displaced by new signing Joan Garcia, because of their long-standing financial issues.

The German veteran who had back surgery had to have that plan, which has made bringing Rashford on loan even more appealing.

Barca can’t lose, Stone continued, “If it is a loan with an option to buy as expected.”

Since playing both on the left-hand side and as a central striker throughout his career, Rashford’s best position has been the subject of a lot of discussion and debate.

However, Barcelona is drawn to his versatility in both positions.

Robert Lewandowski, who turns 37 next month, can’t be expected to start every game, according to West, who is aware of this. Rashford’s appeal is further strengthened by his ability to play as a center-forward or false nine.

However, his greatest opportunities will be on the left wing, which has been problematic for Barca since Neymar left for Paris St-Germain eight years ago.

Raphinha has been reintroduced as a central playmaker by coach Hansi Flick, and Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres are unsuited to the left flank.

Can he still match Barca’s other forwards in terms of performance?

Since making his United debut as an 18-year-old in 2016, Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 games for England, an addition to his previous 62 goals.

At age 27, he still has a lot of his best years ahead of him and has a wealth of experience at the highest level.

However, Rashford’s name and the word “potential” are frequently used together, and since 2022-23, has he not scored 20 goals in a single season.

He only scored twice in the Premier League, one of which was a penalty, despite impressing at times there.

“Barcelona knows they are taking a little risk,” Stone said. And it’s not entirely clear what their strategy is for Rashford; it won’t undoubtedly replace Lamine Yamal.