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Marcus Rashford joins Barcelona on loan from Manchester United, accepting a major pay cut to play abroad for the first time in his career.
5 minutes
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Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on loan, temporarily ending his long association with Manchester United. The 27-year-old English forward has moved to the Spanish giants until the end of the season. According to the BBC, the deal includes a purchase option that could be activated in the summer of 2026.
This move marks the first time Rashford has left both his club and country, signalling a significant turn in his career. After two seasons of inconsistent form and off-field challenges, he is expected to reset and rediscover his best version in Barcelona.
According to the BBC, Barcelona will pay Rashford’s full salary for the season. The player also agreed to a significant wage reduction to facilitate the move. As a result, Manchester United gained a wage relief of approximately £14–15 million. From the club’s perspective, this provides financial flexibility for their squad restructuring.
According to The Athletic, Manchester United initially intended to sell Rashford outright, targeting a £40 million fee. But Barcelona’s unwillingness to match that valuation altered the course of the talks. Fabrizio Romano reported that Rashford took a major personal step by agreeing to a significant pay cut to get the deal over the line.
“Rashford has agreed to lower his wages significantly to fit into Barça’s salary structure.” — Fabrizio Romano
Rashford held his first training session with Barcelona on Tuesday. The coaching staff have included him in the squad for the Japan tour, which begins on Thursday. For the player, who had completed a loan spell at Aston Villa, this period will be a crucial transition for adaptation and physical preparation with his new team.
During the 2024/25 season, Rashford played 41 official matches across Manchester United and Aston Villa. He scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists, reaching double digits in total contributions. His time at Villa was particularly productive, with 6 goals and 4 assists in just 17 appearances. Operating with more freedom up front clearly suited him, and he quickly became a key figure in the side. However, a late-season hamstring injury disrupted his momentum and role in the closing stretch.
The most striking development was Rashford’s decision to forgo his weekly wage of over £325,000 to align with Barcelona’s salary limits. While final administrative details are still being finalised, manager Hansi Flick played a direct role in securing the move. According to The Athletic, Flick personally approved the deal after one-on-one discussions with the player.
“Hansi Flick personally approved the move after holding direct talks with Rashford.” — The Athletic
According to earlier reports from the BBC, Rashford’s departure from Manchester United had been expected for some time. Head coach Ruben Amorim left him out of the Manchester derby squad late last year and later publicly stated: “I don’t play anyone who doesn’t give 100% every day,” directly criticising Rashford’s commitment.
Previously, during Erik ten Hag’s tenure, Rashford had been excluded from the squad due to issues related to nightlife, tardiness, and disciplinary problems. His loan to Aston Villa in January was a direct response to his declining role. Though he contributed 6 goals and 4 assists in 17 appearances at Villa, a late-season injury affected his consistency.
Throughout the summer, Barcelona were linked with several left-wing options. According to The Athletic, the club initially came close to signing Nico Williams, but the Spanish international ultimately turned down their offer.
“Barcelona thought they had reached an agreement to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Club, only for the Spain international to spectacularly reject their advances.” — The Athletic
Another target, Luis Díaz, was deemed unattainable due to Liverpool’s firm stance and high transfer demands.
“Liverpool’s Luis Díaz was another target but the Reds’ refusal to do business left a deal well out of Barcelona’s price range.” — The Athletic
Following these developments, the focus shifted decisively to Rashford.
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona see the Rashford signing as a measured gamble with significant upside. The purchase clause will be evaluated based on performance. If Rashford adapts and delivers consistently, this deal could turn into one of the most effective moves of the season.
Beyond strengthening Barcelona’s attack, the move reflects the club’s effort to maintain a sustainable wage structure. The agreement adds tactical fluidity and boosts squad rotation, improving Barça’s attacking setup both in versatility and output.
For Marcus Rashford, this is a career crossroads. Once a symbol of Manchester United and a product of its academy, he now has a chance to revive his game in a new system and under a contrasting footballing philosophy. Playing alongside the likes of Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Olmo presents an opportunity to enhance both his own output and Barcelona’s forward dynamics.
For Barcelona, the transfer represents a financially responsible, athletically ambitious and structurally smart investment. If Rashford settles and finds rhythm, both he and the club stand to benefit considerably.