Deco reveals why Barcelona chose Gordon over Rashford in £69m summer call

Barcelona sporting director Deco has confirmed the club deliberately passed on signing Marcus Rashford permanently, choosing instead to spend £69m on Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon — a player he says fits Hansi Flick’s system more naturally.

Rashford, 28, spent last season on loan at the Camp Nou after falling out with Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim. He produced a standout campaign, scoring 14 goals and adding 14 assists, including a strike in the victory over Real Madrid that clinched La Liga. His form was enough to earn him a recall to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Despite that, Barcelona chose not to trigger the £26m purchase option embedded in the loan agreement. Speaking on RAC1, Deco explained the reasoning: “We are extremely grateful to Rashford. He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony. His style fits with what the coach is looking for.”

Deco pointed to a specific problem Flick identified during the previous campaign. “One of the areas we struggled last season, without Raphinha, was that the team’s energy dropped. It was lost. We needed more intensity. We analysed a lot of wingers. Signing someone from the Premier League is almost impossible, but [Flick] was clear with what he wanted and we worked on a deal from there.”

With the Barcelona move off the table, Rashford returned to Manchester United’s Carrington training base ahead of the new Premier League season. He has since featured in all three of United’s opening fixtures, starting against Ipswich Town and Everton.

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick, who worked with Rashford during a loan spell, spoke warmly of the forward’s attitude on his return. “He’s one of our own. He’s living his dream, playing here now, and trying to be successful and win,” Carrick said. “He’s been fantastic since he came back, I have to say.”

Rashford is now expected to start twice in the coming week — in United’s Champions League opener against Sabah FK and in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.