Manchester United forward [b]Marcus Rashford[/b], who has been sidelined by the club’s new manager, [b]Ruben Amorim[/b], is reportedly seeking a move to [b]Barcelona[/b] and has given the Spanish giants a 24-hour deadline to finalize a loan deal.
The 27-year-old England international has not made an appearance for the Red Devils since December 12, during a Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen. Under Amorim's leadership, Rashford has struggled to secure a spot in the starting lineup, leading to his desire for a "new challenge" away from Old Trafford.
Rashford’s situation has attracted attention from several top European clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan. However, the versatile forward has expressed a clear preference for a move to [b]Barcelona[/b], citing the opportunity to play under manager [b]Hansi Flick[/b] as a key factor.
Flick, who previously tried to sign Rashford during his tenure at Bayern Munich, views the Englishman as a valuable addition to his squad. The manager believes Rashford’s speed, versatility, and experience could provide much-needed support to star striker Robert Lewandowski, especially given Barcelona’s demanding schedule this season.
However, while Flick is enthusiastic about the potential signing, the Barcelona board remains divided on the matter. Some members of the board are questioning Rashford’s fit within the team’s tactical setup, as well as the financial implications of bringing him on loan. Despite these concerns, the club has not ruled out the possibility of securing Rashford’s services, provided a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached with Manchester United.
Reports suggest that Barcelona is currently only willing to consider a loan deal for Rashford, rather than a permanent transfer, due to financial constraints. Rashford, on his part, is eager to see swift progress and has set a Wednesday deadline for the La Liga club to finalize the terms. This ultimatum has added urgency to Barcelona’s decision-making process, as they risk losing the player to rival clubs if they fail to act quickly.
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has remained tight-lipped about Rashford’s future. Following the team’s FA Cup penalty shootout victory over Arsenal, Amorim was asked about the striker’s potential departure. He responded cautiously, stating: “I don’t know. We will see. He is a player for Manchester United, but I have to make choices. It is what it is, so let’s continue and see the next game.”
With the clock ticking, all eyes are on Barcelona to see if they will meet Rashford’s demands and secure a deal before his self-imposed deadline expires.
