Marcus Rashford trained in sweltering 30C heat in Kansas City on Monday, his focus fixed on England's World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday. But the deadline he knew was coming had passed hours earlier: Barcelona did not trigger the £26m clause to turn his loan into a permanent deal, leaving the 28-year-old facing an uncertain return to Manchester United.
Then came a twist. According to Brazilian outlet GE Globo, Saudi side Al-Hilal are interested in signing Barcelona winger Raphinha, who is reportedly willing to enter talks after the World Cup. Should the 29-year-old leave, Barcelona might reconsider a move for Rashford — though they would have to negotiate fresh terms with United, who are refusing a second loan and want around £40m for a permanent sale.
“Barcelona deadline passes but Raphinha interest from Al-Hilal may reopen door for Rashford.”
Rashford scored 14 goals for Barcelona last season, but the Catalan giants instead signed England teammate Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for £70m. Now, with Raphinha's potential departure, a path could reopen. The Brazilian himself hit out at speculation last month: "Ever since I arrived at Barcelona, from day one there's been speculation that I'm going to leave this club." Speaking to ESPN, he added: "The journalist who wrote that article (about a possible departure) has also written other things about me that were lies."
For now, Rashford's immediate future is with England. On 1 July, after the World Cup, he will officially become a Manchester United player again on a £325,000-a-week contract with two years left. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to cut wage costs, and United have already given Rashford's number 10 shirt to Matheus Cunha. Manager Michael Carrick said in April: "Whoever's here, I want to work with them and help them to improve." But the club's summer rebuilding plans assume Rashford will not be part of them.
Rashford's conviction that his long-term future lies away from Old Trafford remains, having been blocked from joining Manchester City or Liverpool. Arsenal have also moved on. With a new manager in place and the memory of being exiled to the 'bomb squad' by Ruben Amorim still fresh — a tactic now complicated by a FIFA-Fifpro memorandum allowing exiled players to demand release — United face a delicate balancing act. Could a Raphinha exit be the escape route Rashford needs?