Man Utd face ‘big issue’ with Marcus Rashford after Barcelona punishment | Football | Sport

Manchester United are confronting a ‘big issue’ regarding Marcus Rashford‘s future next summer, according to football finance expert Stefan Borson. The forward, who has three years remaining on his Old Trafford deal, joined Barcelona FC on a season-long loan in July after Ruben Amorim indicated he wasn’t part of his plans. The Spanish giants have the option to secure Rashford permanently for £30million in 2026.

Following his impressive displays since the September international break, Barcelona are reportedly eager to sign the England star but for a lower price of around £26m. Borson believes this creates difficulties for United as the Red Devils lack control over the circumstances.

He told Football Insider: “The player is going to end up boxing Manchester United in. I think it’s clear that United obviously want to sell the player. I mean, you just loaned him out. Where are we going to get to next summer?

“Whatever he does, whether he plays well or whether he’s mediocre, whether he’s patchy, you get to next summer and there’s one bidder on the table and the player says he only wants to go to Barcelona. Well, in that scenario, they may well get him for £25m.

“It’s a big issue for Manchester United because it is very hard to see where the upside is. You’re not going to bring him back unless there’s a change of manager and he’s very keen, which must be unlikely. Not so much the first bit, but the second bit.

“So, he’s not coming back, and he’s almost certain to say he wants to go to Barcelona if Barcelona want to sign him, so you’re negotiating against yourself.”

It comes just weeks after Rashford was punished by Barcelona after arriving late to a training session. He was expected to start against Getafe earlier this month but was dropped as a consequence of his poor timekeeping.

Hansi Flick reportedly made it clear to Rashford that lateness would not be accepted, delivering the 27-year-old a comparable sanction previously imposed on Jules Kounde, Inaki Pena and Raphinha for violating the same regulation.

He has been in fine form since then, though, contributing either a goal or an assist in each of his past five outings.

Rashford scored his first and second goals for Barcelong against Newcastle United earlier this month, whilst he has provided one assist in his previous four La Liga fixtures.

On Sunday, the United loanee delivered a cross for Jules Kounde to nod home Barcelona’s leveller as Hansi Flick’s team came from behind to defeat Real Sociedad with Robert Lewandowski bagging a second-half winner.

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