Rashford handed ‘selfish’ Man Utd message as transfer verdict given | Football | Sport

Marcus Rashford has been advised he must put himself first this summer and do everything possible to stay at Barcelona. Rashford has won over Barca boss Hansi Flick this season – with his free-kick helping clinch the La Liga title in El Clasico earlier this month.

Barca are attempting to reduce the forward’s price, despite United making it abundantly clear they have no interest in negotiating a reduction on the £26million agreed fee. This means the forward could head into a World Cup summer with his club future uncertain, as he still has two years left on the five-year contract he signed with United in July 2023.

And while former Reds captain Patrice Evra would relish seeing the England international back at Old Trafford</a>, he recognises that he ought to remain with Barca.

“I love Marcus [Rashford] and you know the body language doesn’t lie, he’s happy now,” he said via Stake. “He wasn’t in Manchester, so that the things that you have to prioritise.

“When you have to work, you have to perform, but happiness is really important and for me is what I see when he’s in Barcelona. He wants to stay.

“I spoke with Marcus, it was maybe six years ago, and he said ‘Patrice, my heart tells me to stay at Man United, but my mind is telling me to go’.

“He will still be a Mancunian, but he should prioritise his football career and enjoy his football in Barcelona. He should stay there. But I would also love Marcus to come back to Man United.

“As a selfish and personal point of view, don’t come back to Man United. Stay where you are happy. I know Marcus’ price will be daylight robbery for Barcelona, they’re definitely going to pay less than what he is worth.”

Echoing Evra’s sentiments regarding Rashford’s valuation, Arsenal Invincible Ray Parlour remarked: “I think he’s got a clause, £26m, something like that, in his contract?

“If you can get the proper Marcus Rashford back, that’s a bargain. Every single player goes for £60m or £70m now, so if you can get the best out of him for the next few years… and he’s not that old, is he?

“So he’s still got lots and lots of years left in him with the way they look after themselves now. For £26 million, it’d be interesting to see what happens.

“I think a few clubs will be looking at him-maybe even Premier League clubs looking to bring him back-because for that money, it isn’t an expensive gamble.

“Well, the gamble is the wages, I should imagine. I don’t know if Marcus would think about taking a pay cut, but if he did, a lot of clubs would be straight in.

“He’s earned his money over the years with the contracts he’s had; sometimes you just want the best opportunity to finish your career well, win trophies, and not worry about the money. If he’s got that mentality, we could see him back in the Premier League, definitely.”