69% of Manchester United fans want Rashford sold as £40m clause claim unravels

Nearly seven in ten Manchester United fans want Marcus Rashford sold this summer, according to a poll of almost 8,000 supporters, as the club navigates a complicated exit for the academy forward following Barcelona’s decision not to trigger their option-to-buy.

Barcelona opted against activating the £26 million purchase clause attached to Rashford’s loan spell at the Nou Camp, and United have since made clear they will not pursue a second loan arrangement with the Spanish club. The 28-year-old’s future now rests on finding a new buyer, with United actively looking to offload him.

When asked whether they would welcome Rashford back into the fold at Old Trafford, 69% of respondents — 5,465 of 7,924 voters — said they would prefer the club to move on permanently. Just 31%, or 2,459 voters, said they would be open to giving the forward another chance.

Rashford is currently on international duty with England at the World Cup, and his prospects of securing a summer move received a boost after an impressive cameo in the Three Lions’ 4-2 win over Croatia. United will be hoping continued strong performances convince a club to make a firm offer.

Widely circulated reports this week pointed to a £40 million release clause in Rashford’s contract, but that figure is not a binding contractual term. The clause is understood to be a gentleman’s agreement between Rashford and the club, rather than a cast-iron provision that any buying club would be legally obligated to trigger.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich have both been identified as sides in the market for a left winger this summer, and United are understood to be monitoring interest from both clubs as they look to conclude a deal before the transfer window closes.