Forward Marcus Rashford wanted by Barcelona amid uncertainty over Manchester United future
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford has caught the attention of Barcelona, who want to take advantage of the player’s uncertain future at the club and sign him in the summer.
Rashford came through the Red Devils academy and became an instant star in the first team, scoring twice on his debut and then following it up with another brace on his Premier League debut just a few days later.
However, the forward has waned in form over the past couple of seasons and has fallen down the pecking order in attack at his boyhood club. Now, in a shock, the player has asked to depart the Manchester side to seek game time elsewhere, with Barcelona interested in him.
The Englishman has been considering his future in Manchester after being dropped for the Manchester derby, with a source saying that his phone hasn’t stopped ringing as other clubs are chasing his signature in the summer.
Nou Camp move?
Barcelona are said to be one of the more prominent clubs keen on signing Rashford, wasting little time in touching base with the player’s camp to seek out a potential move for him. Arch-rivals Liverpool are also said to be admirers of Rashford, although whether a move to Anfield may be out of the picture given the rivalry between the two clubs.
However, the understanding is that Rashford does not want to leave his boyhood club and that the news about him seeking a move elsewhere is to convince the Red Devils into opening discussions over a new long-term contract.
Having signed Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent years, Rashford has fallen down the pecking order to lead the line for Man United. His poor run of form has not helped either, with the striker looking short of confidence in front of goal.
Having started his Man United career as a striker playing through the middle, the England international eventually moved out to the wing to play as a wide forward. For his national team as well, the player has made the position his own.
However, this season has seen the emergence of Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga in the wide positions, and Rashford has had to settle for a place on the bench. A poor run of form has not helped, but even when has been on the pitch, the Carrington product has failed to deliver this season.
The star’s contract expires in the summer of 2023, and if the contract situation gets worse in the coming months, Man United will be forced to sell him at the end of the season so they do not face the prospect of selling him for free.