Marcus Rashford's long-term future at Barcelona is under a cloud of uncertainty, despite the Manchester United loanee delivering a vibrant cameo in the Catalan giants' crucial 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Rashford's Spark from the Bench
The England international started the match at Camp Nou on the sidelines, with the recently returned Raphinha preferred on the left wing. However, with Barcelona leading 2-1 and Atletico pushing for an equaliser, manager Hansi Flick introduced Rashford in the 67th minute.
His 24-minute appearance provided an immediate injection of pace and directness. Spanish outlet Sport described his performance as "stinging," noting he "quickly began causing problems for Atlético from the left wing" and came close to scoring. The victory extended Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga to four points over rivals Real Madrid.
Spanish Media Praise and Underlying Concerns
Mundo Deportivo also highlighted Rashford's threat, praising a specific counter-attack where his speed took him clear before his shot was saved by Jan Oblak. This positive reception came despite it being his fourth consecutive match without a goal or an assist.
Yet, behind the scenes, a split is emerging regarding the 28-year-old's future. Barcelona secured an option to make his loan permanent for £26million when he joined last summer, and he has contributed six goals and nine assists in 19 appearances across all competitions.
The Stumbling Blocks to a Permanent Deal
According to reports, significant concerns persist within the club. The primary issue is Rashford's substantial wages. Although he accepted a 25% pay cut to move, Barcelona are still paying his weekly salary of £240,000 in full.
A tactical misalignment is also causing unease. Rashford is reportedly contributing little to the high-pressing system that is a fundamental tenet of Flick's philosophy. This has led to discussions that the club's future transfer strategy may focus on finding a different profile of backup for Raphinha.
Should Barcelona decline their option, Rashford would return to Manchester United next summer. New United boss Ruben Amorim is not believed to see the winger as part of his long-term plans, potentially leading to a third successive loan or a permanent sale.
