Marcus Rashford accused of being ‘obsessed with money’ in Man Utd saga | Football | Sport

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been warned that his transfer prospects are dwindling unless he reconsiders his wage expectations. The England international spent the 2025/26 campaign on loan at Barcelona, but a permanent switch to the Catalan giants now appears increasingly unlikely after they signed Anthony Gordon.

Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin remains unconvinced his old club would make a move for Rashford, given their recent policy of recruiting younger talent. The Scot reckons this leaves Real Madrid as the sole realistic destination unless his salary demands are revised, and has urged the 28-year-old to prioritise regular first-team football over the most lucrative contract.

“If I was advising Marcus Rashford I’d tell him to stop being obsessed with money and cut a deal to stay at Manchester United because that’s where he belongs,” Nevin told Grosvenor Casinos.

However, he expressed scepticism about a possible United stay coming to fruition and added: “I don’t know if Barca can really keep on paying all the money. Real Madrid can. Nobody else can really pay a staggering amount for a player who has got a checkered background.

“Remember the sums he’s on at Manchester United is staggering. So, there is a limited amount of teams that will buy. Someone like Chelsea wouldn’t buy him because they buy younger players and it’s all about sales there. So, you’re kind of limiting the teams you can go to.”

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

Rashford flourished during his year-long loan spell at Barcelona, reaching double figures for both goals and assists. It sparked speculation that Hansi Flick’s side would trigger an option to secure him permanently for approximately £26m, but their £69.3m capture of Gordon has thrown serious doubt on that strategy.

He also contributed four goals and six assists across 17 outings on loan with Aston Villa during the 2024/25 campaign. Unai Emery’s side have secured a Champions League comeback and could still be a possibility if wage expectations are lowered.

Nevin indicated that Spain suits Rashford well from a lifestyle perspective. He also persisted in arguing for Rashford to resurrect his Old Trafford career despite being sent out on loan by each of the previous two United managers, but didn’t seem to harbour much optimism that an agreement would be reached.

“If I was advising someone like Marcus, I would remind him it’s a short career and he should get on the pitch as often as he can,” the 62-year-old added.

“Somebody will pay him quite well for doing it. But if somebody else wants to offer you twice that, but you won’t be playing very often, I’d stay with the team I was playing with.

“I don’t know if Barca can really keep on paying all the money. Real Madrid can. Nobody else can really pay a staggering amount for a player who has got a checkered background.

“I happened to absolutely love playing. I loved it. Not every footballer does. So, for Marcus, if he can blank agents and sit in a darkened room then turn on the light and look in the mirror and say: ‘How do I want to be looked back on in 20 or 30 years’ time? Do I want to look back at that bank account there, thinking that’s got another zero in it. Or do I just want to make sure I enjoyed it.’

“Those are the important things in life, I think. I just hope he’s got somebody sensible sitting beside him, telling him that. Where in the Premier League? That’s a tough one. He was alright at Aston Villa. The obvious team is actually Manchester United. And that’s not going to happen.”

WORLD CUP LEGENDS: The stars who lit up football’s greatest tournament – Buy the Special Edition today