Marcus Rashford has moved to clarify his social media post after facing accusations of making a 'dig' at Manchester United following his England call-up. The forward, currently on loan at Barcelona, was named in Thomas Tuchel's 26-man squad for the World Cup on Friday and took to Instagram to express his gratitude.
Rashford's Instagram Post Sparks Controversy
In his Instagram story, Rashford wrote: "Special thanks to Unai (Emery), Hansi (Flick), Thomas, Aston Villa, Barcelona & England for believing in me when things got tough." Fans quickly noticed the omission of Manchester United, his parent club, prompting a wave of criticism. One supporter questioned, "Where is United's thank you?" while another accused him of "total disrespect to the club that made him, still have a contract with and is still paying him." A third sarcastically remarked, "No mention of his boyhood club? Very classy."
Rashford's Clarification on X
Alerted to the backlash, Rashford responded on X, stating: "To make my IG story clear. It's not a dig of any sort! I'm a MU supporter, and that remains. I was showing gratitude to the clubs and coaches that I have worked with over the past 18 months, they have played a big role in this England call up."
Loan Situation at Barcelona
Despite Rashford's strong performances at Barcelona—scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in 48 appearances—the La Liga champions have not indicated a willingness to pay the £26 million required for a permanent transfer. The 28-year-old, who wants to stay at Camp Nou, has helped Barcelona win two trophies this season. President Joan Laporta has floated the idea of extending the loan for another year, but Manchester United are pushing for a permanent sale.
Rashford, under contract at Old Trafford until 2028, may have one final chance to impress Barcelona manager Hansi Flick when the Blaugrana face Valencia on Saturday. Flick recently praised the forward, saying: "I think his season was fantastic and he has good numbers, and I am very grateful for that. At the end of the season, we will analyse everything, and then we will see what will happen."
The debate over Rashford's future continues, with fans and pundits speculating whether he will return to Manchester United or secure a permanent move to Barcelona.
