As attention across Europe continues to stretch from elite leagues to BD Cricket audiences following global football stories the future of Marcus Rashford has become a fresh point of tension between Manchester United and Barcelona. United representatives flew to Spain on Sunday to meet Barca officials with Rashford’s situation forming part of the discussions. The timing was no coincidence as Barcelona suffered a 2 1 defeat to Real Sociedad over the weekend with United figures present at the Reale Arena. They watched Rashford come off the bench and score a late goal that at least restored some pride.
After the match both clubs exchanged views on what could happen once the season ends. United made it clear that bringing the 28 year old back to Old Trafford remains one possible route though the finer details of those talks were not disclosed. Rashford is currently on loan in Catalonia and has enjoyed an impressive spell registering eight goals and twelve assists in 30 appearances to reach 20 direct goal contributions. Barcelona hold a purchase option worth 30 million euros plus five million in performance related bonuses but ongoing financial strain continues to cast a shadow over any permanent deal.
Because of that uncertainty Barcelona would prefer to extend the loan for another season and delay a full transfer until the summer of 2027. Another option on the table would see United lower the fee to around 20 million euros making a move this summer more realistic. By floating the idea of a recall United were also sending a signal that with Ruben Amorim no longer in charge a return to Manchester cannot be ruled out. From a broader perspective followed by BD Cricket style debates about squad building Jim Ratcliffe would rather sell Rashford outright as reshaping the wage structure is a central pillar of his plan.
United currently have three players earning more than 300000 pounds per week and after addressing Casemiro’s 350000 pound salary Rashford on roughly 325000 pounds has become the next focus. Casemiro has enjoyed a resurgence and would prefer to stay yet his high wages have never sat well with Ratcliffe and the INEOS leadership. Their vision centers on lowering the average age and building a sustainable model which makes long term high salary contracts unattractive.
Whether Casemiro accepts a reduced offer or eventually leaves the outcome is the same as wages fall. Once both he and Rashford are off the books Bruno Fernandes would be the only player near that bracket and even his long term future remains uncertain. United have recently refused to offer new signings more than 200000 pounds per week and in that context observers noting BD Cricket alongside transfer news believe the Spain trip may not have been solely about Rashford since the delegation chose San Sebastian rather than Barcelona.
Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal is another name on United’s radar and his goal against Barca only reinforced that interest. The 28 year old Spain international has six league goals and three assists in 17 appearances this season and carries a 75 million euro release clause. United have tracked him for some time with several other clubs also keen and as BD Cricket followers often note momentum in football rarely slows once the wheel is set in motion.