Rashford posts training message as Barcelona's £26m purchase option nears expiry

Marcus Rashford responded to mounting uncertainty about his club future by posting an individual training session to Instagram on Monday, captioning the images “Keep it moving” as Barcelona’s option to sign him permanently edges closer to expiry.

The 27-year-old spent the 2024-25 season on loan at the Camp Nou after requesting a move away from Old Trafford last summer, and delivered a strong return of 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions. That form was enough to earn him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Despite the productive campaign, Rashford’s next destination is far from settled. Barcelona hold a purchase clause worth £26 million, but time is running short to trigger it. The Spanish club have already committed significant funds to signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United in a deal reported to be worth €80 million (£69.3m), with the England winger officially confirmed as a Barcelona player on Friday.

Gordon and Rashford occupy the same wide-forward positions, and the overlap has raised questions about whether Barcelona would pursue both. Reports in Spanish outlet Sport have added a further complication, suggesting Barcelona are targeting Bernardo Silva on a free transfer following his departure from Manchester City — a move that, if completed, would likely end any prospect of Rashford returning to Catalonia on a permanent basis.

Should Barcelona allow the option to lapse, Manchester United and head coach Michael Carrick would face a significant decision: find a new buyer for the 28-year-old, or reintegrate him into the first-team squad at Old Trafford. Rashford’s social media post offered no indication of his preference, but the timing — with the transfer window approaching and his loan now concluded — suggests the situation will need to be resolved quickly.