Marcus Rashford signing for Barcelona from Manchester United permanently this summer could depend on who wins the Catalan club’s upcoming presidential election

Barcelona preliminary presidential candidate Xavier Vilajoana believes the Catalan club should consider re-signing Jan Virgili before deciding whether to make a permanent move for Marcus Rashford during this summer’s transfer window.

Rashford’s loan deal gives Barcelona an option to sign the England international for £26million. However, they also have a clause that enables them to bring Virgili back to the club a year after selling him to Mallorca.

The teenage winger has six assists for them in La Liga during his first season of senior football. Rashford, in comparison, has 10 goals and 13 assists, but is nine years Virgili’s senior.

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Vilajoana, a former Barcelona executive who was head of La Masia, brought up Virgili when discussing the possibility of signing Rashford permanently. He told ESPN: “I am someone who believes you should always look in-house first, as I’ve always said, and then look outside depending on the characteristics of the players you have.

“For example, I want to give the example of Jan Virgili, who is currently playing for Mallorca. He’s a great winger. I would maybe look at [exercising the clause to re-sign him] as an option, for example, rather than paying the Rashford clause.

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“That said, it’s not just the president who arrives and makes the decision. The president arrives, puts things on the table, alternatives are considered, it’s discussed, and a decision is made.

“What I am clear on is that if [signing Rashford] is considered to be the best decision from a sporting point of view, the money will be there to make it happen.”

Vilajoana is one of four confirmed presidential candidates for the 15 March election. Joan Laporta is standing for re-election, while Marc Ciria and Victor Font, who also stood in the last elections five years ago, are his other opponents.

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Barcelona have an option to purchase Marcus Rashford for £26m – and the forward has made it clear he does not want to return to Manchester United

Manchester United have told Barcelona that they will not re-negotiate Marcus Rashford’s fee.

Rashford is on a season-long loan at the Spanish giants, who have the option to buy him for £26million at the end of the campaign. And according to the Daily Mail, United are said to be puzzled by speculation they are prepared to negotiate the fee.

The report also claims that Barca must pay the agreed figure in full, and United hope that selling Rashford and wiping his salary off the wage bill will contribute to some significant savings this summer.

The forward has largely impressed at Spotify Camp Nou, scoring 10 goals and claiming 13 assists in 34 games.

Rashford has not played for United since December 2024 and lost his ‘10’ squad number to Matheus Cunha under former coach Ruben Amorim during the summer.

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Before that Amorim said he would rather name his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach as a substitute than a player who does not give his all, in response to a question about Rashford.

The forward spent the second-half of last season on loan at Aston Villa and was forced to train at a separate time from United’s first-team players in the summer before he joined Hansi Flick’s side.

Although Rashford has made clear that he wants to join Barca permanently in the summer, Flick revealed last month that the forward’s long-term future with the Spanish giants remains uncertain.

“(Sporting director) Deco and I always speak about our team and what we can do,” the German said when quizzed about Rashford.

“Marcus’ performances have been really good until now, but we have to manage it. It’s Deco’s job and the club’s job to work on next season so we have to wait.

“We still have plenty more time, there are many months, many days, many weeks ahead of us, and that’s how it is.”

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The continuation of Marcus Rashford’s uncertain future at Manchester United remains across headlines

Michael Carrick has been given a weekend respite at Manchester United due to the FA Cup schedule.

The Red Devils exited the tournament last month following a 2-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford. Whie their top-four competitors are all playing across the weekend, United have been granted a break before their next Premier League fixture away to Everton on February 23.

Although every chance of silverware this campaign has now passed for United, they remain well-placed to secure Champions League qualification, which would mark progress in the right direction.

As the club’s search for a new permanent manager continues, with Thomas Tuchel the most recent candidate to withdraw from contention, there’s no shortage of activity at Old Trafford. Here, we provide the latest on a transfer development concerning Marcus Rashford, alongside comments from one United player regarding Carrick.

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Marcus Rashford clue

Marcus Rashford has been the subject of discussion ever since his loan switch to Barcelona at the beginning of the campaign. However, the Spanish club appear to have enhanced his prospects of remaining there on a permanent basis in a statement regarding their Copa del Rey fixture against Atletico Madrid.

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Barcelona outlined several reasons for optimism ahead of next month’s fixture, including the return of Rashford, who was absent from the 4-0 first-leg hammering due to a knee injury. They described the Man United loanee as a “key player,” suggesting his significance to Hansi Flick and potentially revealing hints about what lies ahead.

The Catalan club holds an option to purchase Rashford permanently for £26million at the season’s conclusion. This outcome appears increasingly probable, with the player himself having acknowledged his desire to complete the move from United.

The full statement read: “If all goes well, three key players should be available for the second leg on March 3: Pedri, Raphinha and Rashford. The Englishman looks the most certain, having missed the first leg purely as a precaution.”

Benjamin Sesko admission

The Slovenian striker is yet to make a Premier League start under Carrick, though that hasn’t prevented him from delivering a notable contribution. He’s appeared as a substitute in four of the five league matches the former United midfielder has overseen and netted two crucial goals.

Sesko followed up his late winner against Fulham with an even later equaliser away at West Ham earlier this week. The forward featured on the latest episode of Manchester United’s official podcast, where he spoke highly of his manager when asked about his brief tenure under him.

Speaking on Inside Carrington, the 22-year-old stated: “First of all, he’s an amazing person. That’s already meaning really a lot, but as well, a really good coach. And not just him, the whole staff that he has with him, they’re working unbelievably.”

Discussing Carrick’s coaching team, he added: “They’re giving all the details that you need to improve, to get better, to know what to do in the game, because it’s important. And they’re always good with communications [sic], as he and the other staff. So, I’m really happy that he came here and also happy with what we have achieved around it.”

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Marcus Rashford missed out on Atletico Madrid mauling Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa del Rey

Marcus Rashford’s injury saw him escape Barcelona’s devastating 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

The winger, who is on loan at the Spanish giants from Manchester United, missed out on Thursday’s match at the Metropolitano Stadium after sustaining a knock in the 3-0 victory over Mallorca on Saturday.

In the first leg of the semi-final tie, Hansi Flick’s side conceded all four goals in the first half with the opening 45 minutes being regarded as the worst of the German’s tenure so far in Catalonia.

He traveled to Madrid without the services of Pedri, Raphinha and the England star, but now faces an improbable task of reaching the final of defending the trophy. Promising his team will bounce back ahead of the second leg next month, Flick said: “Look, when I say I’m disappointed, maybe that’s not right.

“I’m proud of these players this season. We’ve had injuries. And that’s part of the game. Sometimes you lose. Today was a wake-up call, a tough defeat. And we’ll be back. We have to accept this lesson.

“We didn’t play well from the first minute. We have a young team, but that’s no excuse. Then, the second half was better.” Spanish media’s verdict of Rashford was clear to see after the humiliating defeat.

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Sport

Jordi Carne of Sport discussed Rashford’s absence in the 4-0 demolition, admitting that Flick not being able to call upon the Englishman damaged his side’s balance on the wings. Dani Olmo, who usually does his best work through the middle, was shifted onto the left flank but lacks Rashford’s pace and directness.

He wrote: “Barca sorely missed their two key players, in addition to Lamine Yamal and Joan Garcia. All six defeats this season have come in matches where Raphinha hasn’t played a single minute, and while the numbers without Pedri aren’t as bad as they once were, the Canary Islander is fundamental not only in possession but also in defensive cover.

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“The added absence of Marcus Rashford meant Olmo had to move to the left wing, leaving the team without the two natural replacements for Raphinha and Pedri.”

Mundo Deportivo

The England forward wasn’t even mentioned in Mundo Deportivo‘s breakdown of the defeat, who instead opted to focus on the absences of Pedri and Raphinha. Even with 23 goals and assists to his name this season, which is superior to the midfield maestro (10) and the Brazilian trickster (18), it can be argued that Rashford is not yet seen as a key player for Barcelona by some Spanish media.

They wrote: “Without Pedri or Raphinha , and with Lamine well contained, Barca were outmatched in intensity and effectiveness. The tie is now a very uphill battle. There are precedents in Barca’s history of impossible comebacks, but this time the challenge borders on the epic.”

AS

Rashford was not given any consideration by AS. The lengthy analysis of the damaging result saw Juan Jimenez lament the absences of Pedro and Raphinha, yet fail to discuss the growing importance of the Englishman to Flick’s team.

Despite Rashford starting in every Copa del Rey game prior to Thursday, Jimenez wrote: “Surviving without Pedri is very difficult. And surviving without the Canary Islander and Raphinha is practically impossible.

“If Lamine represents talent, Pedri and Raphinha are usually the barometer of a Barca side facing some uncertainties after the defeat at the Metropolitano. Perhaps the two weeks off after the Girona match will give them time to reflect.”

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Manchester United aren’t in action this weekend but that hasn’t stopped the club dominating headlines off the pitch

While their Premier League counterparts gear up for FA Cup fourth round fixtures, Manchester United enjoy a weekend break to rest and recuperate. United were knocked out by Brighton at the first hurdle in the previous round, leaving the league as their sole remaining priority after failing to qualify for Europe and suffering an early Carabao Cup exit.

Michael Carrick’s side won’t be back in action until February 23, when they face Everton. By the time that Monday night kick-off gets underway, they could be out of the Champions League places, with Chelsea and Liverpool breathing down their necks.

Interim boss Carrick wasn’t backed in the transfer market during the winter window, having only been appointed in January after Ruben Amorim’s departure. Regardless of whether Carrick or someone else is in the dugout next term, speculation abounds regarding potential ins and outs.

Off the field, recent remarks from part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe have also sparked debate. Here are our latest headlines from Old Trafford.

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Rashford comeback supported

Ex-Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen reckons Marcus Rashford’s Old Trafford journey might not be finished. Rashford spent time on loan at Aston Villa last season and is currently on a season-long arrangement with Barcelona.

The Catalan giants hold an option to make the move permanent for just over £26million at the end of the season if they are happy with Rashford’s output. Nevertheless, Meulensteen hasn’t dismissed the possibility of the academy product returning now that Carrick – previously an on-field colleague of the forward – is at the helm.

“It could be a route back for Marcus Rashford at Man Utd, definitely,” Meulensteen told BetGoat. “I think Marcus is still as ‘red’ as anyone because he came through the ranks as a young kid, and that will never go away, that will never leave him.

“It’s the same with Scott McTominay. Both players have done extremely well wherever they’ve gone. But I think it was good for Marcus to have that spell away, first of all at Aston Villa, but now at Barcelona. It’s a different culture, a different language, and a different style. Every week is different.

“The Premier League is different. It’s so much more demanding than any league in the world. And I think he’s enjoying his football, and that’s the most important thing. He needs to enjoy his football.”

Ratcliffe addresses backlash to comments

Sir Jim Ratcliffe faced widespread criticism following remarks in which he suggested the UK was being ‘colonised’ by immigrants. Supporter group The 1958 were amongst those who challenged the co-owner, who has now released a subsequent statement regarding his comments.

“I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth,” Ratcliffe said in a statement shared on Thursday. “My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.

“My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone. It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”

Previously, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had criticised Ratcliffe, saying: “These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races and faiths have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions – including Manchester United FC.”

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A key figure at Barcelona has revealed details about Marcus Rashford’s loan deal

Barcelona sporting director Deco has commended Marcus Rashford for flourishing despite the “enormous demands” of playing for Manchester United.

The Barca legend also disclosed that on-loan Rashford was on the verge of signing with another team last summer. Rashford, 28, moved to Catalonia after falling out of favour with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.

He spent the latter half of the previous season on loan at Aston Villa before Barcelona came calling. It has now been revealed just how keen Villa were to retain the England international.

However, according to Deco, once the opportunity arose, Rashford only had one destination in mind. “Yes, definitely,” the Barcelona icon told Sport when questioned if he and the rest of the board are satisfied with Rashford’s development.

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“I think it wasn’t easy to come here. He has played at a very high level, with enormous demands at a club like Manchester United. Then he spent six months at Aston Villa, where he did a very good job.

“In fact, Aston Villa, they would have kept him if it had been possible. I know this because I’ve spoken to people there. But he only wanted to come to Barca, and that’s a very positive thing. We were able to secure a loan.

“The fact that he took a pay cut to make it happen is a clear demonstration that he really wanted to come, and we’re very happy about that. He’s a player who contributes a lot to the team.”

Deco, 48, is correct to highlight that the wage reduction was crucial in facilitating Rashford’s loan to Barcelona. The Spanish giants’ financial situation prevented them from matching his previous £300,000-a-week terms at United, but he accepted a decrease to £225,000 weekly to complete the switch.

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The Portuguese director is also accurate in suggesting that this gesture revealed just how determined Rashford was to join. This has been evident in his displays so far at the Camp Nou, where he has netted 10 goals and provided another 13 assists in 34 appearances.

Rashford is reportedly keen on making his loan a permanent deal at the end of the season. Head coach Hansi Flick has expressed enthusiasm about his loanee, who has a £26million buy option written into his deal.

But even that figure may prove too steep for Barca. This follows suggestions indicating the Catalans have enquired with United about whether they can pay a reduced amount to make Rashford’s move permanent.

That may not align with United’s plans, particularly considering recent reports suggesting interim manager Michael Carrick would like him back at Old Trafford should he land the job on a permanent basis.

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Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.