Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has already signalled his openness to a potential switch to Real Madrid and a reunion with Jose Mourinho. His remarks have re-emerged after the England forward’s stint at Barcelona appears to have reached its conclusion.
The 28-year-old netted 14 goals and registered 14 assists for the Catalan side as they clinched La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. His loan performances have not been considered sufficient to retain him at the club, though.
Could a remarkable transfer to Barcelona’s fierce adversaries Real now materialise? Former United manager Mourinho is poised to assume control of Los Blancos this summer for a second spell. This might possibly make the deal more appealing for Rashford, while the club have been linked with a move for the United player.
Speaking in 2021, Rashford voiced interest in competing in La Liga, something he has now accomplished with Barcelona. “I would never say no,” he said on the possibility of playing in Spain.
“Other than United? I’m a big fan of Real Madrid and Barcelona, because they’ve always had great players and played attractive football. Everybody watches Real Madrid and Barcelona.”
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Rashford featured consistently for Mourinho during the Portuguese’s tenure at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective attackers.
Nevertheless, he lost favour with former United boss Ruben Amorim and was loaned to Aston Villa for six months in January 2025. Rashford joined Barcelona in the summer of 2025.
View 3 ImagesJose Mourinho in conversation with Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford(Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
The forward was available to Barca for £26million as part of his loan agreement, but the Spanish champions have reportedly snubbed the opportunity to make his switch permanent. This follows Barcelona’s decision to sign Anthony Gordon for £70m from Newcastle United instead.
Marca has reported that Gordon was preferred over Rashford due to the winger’s willingness to contribute defensively. The publication noted that the latter’s defending was his ‘weakest point’, while also highlighting their three-year age gap, with Gordon still only 25.
Rashford’s reported £315,000-a-week wages were also flagged as a source of concern. Barcelona reportedly told United they were only prepared to pay half of Rashford’s asking fee, coming in at around £13m, a figure United flatly refused to consider. It appears the player’s association with Barcelona is now effectively finished.
View 3 ImagesRashford’s future is uncertain after Anthony Gordon’s move to Barcelona(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
The Catalan club have also been linked with a free transfer for Bernardo Silva following his Man City departure. Reports also indicate they are prepared to splash over £100m on Atletico Madrid’s former City striker Julian Alvarez.
Following confirmation that a permanent move to Spain would not be materialising, Rashford wiped all references to Barcelona from his social media accounts.
His next destination could be Real Madrid or any number of other clubs believed to be circling, amongst them Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich.
However, he may well find himself facing a significant wage reduction if he is to seal a permanent exit from United. A return to Old Trafford also remains in doubt, given that he has not featured for his boyhood club since December 2024.
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