Manchester United angry as Barcelona's £26m Rashford option looks increasingly unlikely

Manchester United are said to be angry that Barcelona have not moved to trigger their £26 million permanent option for Marcus Rashford, with the likelihood of the England international returning to the Camp Nou this summer fading fast.

Rashford, 28, spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Barcelona after requesting a transfer away from Old Trafford last summer. He produced a strong return of 14 goals and 14 assists during his spell in La Liga, and had publicly expressed a desire to make the move permanent.

According to Spanish publication Sport, United’s frustration stems from the absence of any agreed deal, with Barcelona having initially sought to negotiate further rather than simply activate the clause. Rashford’s representatives reportedly floated the idea of an extended loan arrangement, but no agreement was reached between the parties.

Barcelona have since moved to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle in an €80 million (£69 million) deal. As both Gordon and Rashford operate in similar wide attacking positions, the Gordon signing has significantly reduced the Spanish club’s appetite to also bring in the United forward on a permanent basis.

With the option deadline approaching, United are now said to be reassessing their stance and have indicated a willingness to negotiate with Barcelona over the terms of a potential deal, rather than waiting for the clause to be activated outright.

Barcelona’s summer business may not stop with Gordon, however. The club have also been linked with Bernardo Silva, who will leave Manchester City as a free agent this summer. Reports suggest that a combination of signing both Gordon and Silva would effectively close the door on any permanent move for Rashford. Silva is said to be delaying a decision on his next club until after the World Cup.

With Barcelona’s priorities appearing to shift and no deal in place, Rashford’s future remains unresolved. United are left weighing their options on a player whose time at the club looked all but over when he departed on loan less than twelve months ago.