Barcelona's £26m Rashford snub could force Manchester United into keeping him

Marcus Rashford is set to return to Manchester United this summer after Barcelona opted not to exercise their £26m purchase option, and a serious injury to midfielder Manuel Ugarte could now force the club to keep the forward rather than seek a third consecutive loan move.

Rashford, 29, spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Barcelona under Hansi Flick, contributing 14 goals and 14 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions as the Catalan club won La Liga and the Supercopa de España. Despite that productive return, Barcelona chose not to trigger the option to buy, instead committing £69m to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.

The decision leaves Rashford without a club destination heading into the summer, and United’s own transfer plans have been complicated by the knee ligament injury sustained by Ugarte during Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat to Spain at the World Cup. The 25-year-old, signed from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth up to £50.5m, had been expected to leave Old Trafford before the September 1 transfer deadline after failing to establish himself under Ruben Amorim. His injury now appears to have changed that calculus.

According to The Athletic, Ugarte’s situation could have a direct knock-on effect on Rashford’s future, with United now potentially reluctant to move the England international on given the reduced depth in their squad. The club had already identified midfield reinforcement as a priority following Casemiro’s exit, and are understood to be competing with Tottenham Hotspur for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. Atalanta midfielder Ederson is also reported to be close to joining United, subject to a medical after the World Cup.

With attacking resources stretched and a preference against sending Rashford out on loan for a third straight season, United manager Michael Carrick may find the forward reintegrated into his plans by default. Rashford is currently on international duty with England at the World Cup, where his form will do little to dampen interest from other clubs — though United’s injury situation may ultimately determine whether any sale is possible before the window closes.