United risk losing out on vital funds after key Marcus Rashford decision – report

Manchester United will be hoping to resolve the Marcus Rashford saga once and for all next summer. The English forward, once one of the club’s most important players, has endured a whirlwind last 12 months. Rashford went from a first-team regular to a peripheral figure within a month of Ruben Amorim’s arrival at the Theatre of Dreams in November last year. He was initially offloaded to Aston Villa on a six-month temporary deal in January this year, before joining Barcelona on a season-long loan this summer. The move to Camp Nou has rejuvenated the Englishman, who is now one of Hansi Flick’s most trusted players. Rashford’s impressive rise this season Rashford has gone from strength to strength since leaving United this summer and has found a new lease of life under Flick. This season, the 28 year old has registered six goals and 10 assists in 20 appearances for Barcelona, 14 of which have been starts. Marcus Rashford Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played LaLiga15282-966′ UEFA Champions League542–372′ Total206102-1,338′ Source: Transfermarkt. The Catalans reportedly have an option to sign the player permanently for around £30 million in 2026, and the Red Devils will be hoping they exercise the option. Rashford is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, with Amorim already revamping his attack this summer. As such, funds raised from the Englishman’s possible permanent sale next summer could contribute to further squad reinforcements, with the midfield already a priority. The player’s homegrown status means that his permanent exit can be registered as pure profit in the books, which will also help United adhere to the FFP regulations. Meanwhile, there’s rising interest in the player’s signature, which will also suit the Red Devils’ plans. However, it now appears that the saga has taken a complicated turn, which could pose a few problems for INEOS. Rashford only wants Barcelona According to TEAMtalk, Rashford only wants to stay at Barcelona and is refusing to join any of his other suitors in 2026. “Marcus Rashford has laid out a transfer demand that could hit Manchester United in the pocket. sources have confirmed.” “Rashford is showing no interest in playing for any other club other than Barcelona, heading into 2026. Man Utd are informed on the player’s stance and it is a situation that is causing problems for the Red Devils.” The report adds that although the Catalans have informed United that they want Rashford to stay, the Premier League giants are concerned about their LaLiga counterparts’ poor finances. The player has been linked to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), generating hope that United could still offload him permanently if Barcelona fail to raise funds for the move. However, the player has reportedly informed the Red Devils that he will not join any other club, causing quite a worry at Old Trafford. “We understand that Rashford has again made it very clear to United that they should not even contemplate talking to other suitors – as he won’t play for anyone else.” “Rashford’s stance does cause issues for United, because in theory Barca could also ask for another loan or possibly a sizeable reduction in his transfer fee. Rashford himself still has over two-years left on his Old Trafford contract, but there is absolutely no indication from either side that he could return to play for them.” Final Thoughts United’s handling of the Rashford saga has not been ideal, and the latest developments could further complicate matters. The Red Devils are heading in a new direction under Amorim, and the Englishman’s lingering presence is fast emerging as a distraction for the club. Another loan deal next summer would further stretch an already long-drawn saga. With Rashford’s contract due to expire in 2028, the best chance of raising funds from his permanent departure will be next year. Featured image Alex Caparros via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.