Major blow for Rashford as Barcelona will only buy him in one case – What will Man Utd do

Barcelona have all but abandoned their plans for Marcus Rashford, according to the latest reports from Catalunya, thus handing a major dilemma for Manchester United.

The 28-year-old spent this campaign on loan with the Blaugrana. But despite scoring 14 goals and producing 14 assists, the LaLiga champions have seemingly opted against keeping him.

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Barca have the option to buy the versatile attacker from Man Utd for €30 million (or £26m).

Barcelona have dropped their plans for Marcus Rashford

While Rashford has been keen to prolong his stay at Camp Nou, where he feels comfortable with his surroundings and happy with the exciting brand of football, he was dealt a massive blow in recent days, as it was announced that Barcelona are on the verge of finalising an €80 million transfer for Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon.

The 25-year-old represents a younger, and perhaps hungrier, alternative to his English compatriot, and he effectively covers the same roles. Like Rasfhord, the Everton youth product primarily plays on the left side of the attack, but can feature anywhere in the final third.

So, according to RAC 1, Gordon’s arrival could spell the end for Rashford’s hopes of securing a permanent transfer to Barcelona.

Even though the Newcastle man will cost Barca a bigger transfer fee, his wages are significantly lower than the Manchester natives’, and he’s considered a long-term investment.

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Moreover, the Blaugrana will soon turn their attention to Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, who is their ideal profile to replace Robert Lewandowski.

The Catalan source claims that Barcelona will only reconsider signing Rashford if they fail to sign a new centre-forward.

Despite his affordable fee, Barcelona have been reluctant to cough up €30 million to buy Rashford, which is telling enough.

The Man Utd academy product contributed with 14 goals and as many assists in his first season in Spain, but his performances haven’t convinced everyone at the club, especially on the big occasions.

Therefore, Rashford clearly isn’t a priority for the Spanish champions, who see Gordon as a more suitable understudy for the injury-prone Raphinha, and Alvarez as the perfect profile to lead the line.

What will Man Utd do with returning Rashford?

Interestingly, United could do with an additional forward, especially a right-footed profile capable of playing on the left wing, and also leading the line when required. After all, Joshua Zirkzee could be on his way out.

However, Michael Carrick has just managed to find a winning recipe, and he wouldn’t want to jeopardise it by evoking the past.

In recent months, it was reported that Rashford is no longer an unwelcome figure at Carrington as he was during Ruben Amorim’s reign. However, this merely means that the Englishman would be allowed to train with his MUFC teammates in the summer until he finds himself a new club, as he’s unlikely to be reinstated in the team.

INEOS thus have work to do to find him a new club. Thanks to his academy-product status, Man Utd are set to make a capital gain regardless of the transfer fee, but the directors are counting on a lucrative figure to fund their transfer plans.