Marcus Rashford has made headlines with a surprise move to Barcelona, completing a season-long loan that could become permanent in 2026 for £30.3 million (€35 million). The England international’s switch to the La Liga champions comes amid growing unrest and controversy at Manchester United, where he had not played since December 2024.
Rashford, 27, described his move to Barcelona as a “homecoming” in a revealing first interview, raising eyebrows with comments that hint at deeper frustrations with life at Old Trafford. “What the club stands for means a lot for me,” he said. “I feel like I’m at home, and it’s a good place for good players to showcase their skills.”
The forward becomes the first Englishman to sign for the Catalan giants since Gary Lineker in 1986, and his decision marks the end of a long and emotional chapter with his boyhood club. After signing a five-year contract extension in 2023 following a standout 30-goal season, Rashford’s form dipped significantly, scoring just eight goals in 43 games the following year.
Disciplinary issues plagued his final season at United, including missed training sessions and a controversial night out following a heavy defeat. He was dropped from key matches, most notably the Manchester derby, where manager Ruben Amorim remarked he would rather field his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than use a player who “doesn’t give the maximum every day.”
Despite the acrimonious fallout, Rashford remained diplomatic in his farewell remarks, stating, “I don’t have anything bad to say as it has been an important part not just of my career but my life.”
Barcelona are reportedly covering his full wages, with Rashford agreeing to take a pay cut to facilitate the move. He is expected to play a key role in the club’s pre-season tour of Japan and could feature prominently in Hansi Flick’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
He credited the new Barcelona coach as a decisive influence, saying, “The conversations I had with [Hansi Flick] were positive. What he did last season was terrific… it confirmed everything I thought I knew about the club.”
With his sights now firmly set on silverware, Rashford added, “This is a historic club known for winning the biggest prizes. I am here to help them do that. It is a dream of mine.”
