Marcus Rashford’s future remains finely balanced as Barcelona manager Hansi Flick addressed the forward’s recent struggles, with Manchester United closely watching developments ahead of a potential summer decision.
The England international, currently on loan at Barcelona, has seen his form dip since January 2026, raising fresh questions over whether the Spanish club will activate their €30m purchase option.
Marcus Rashford Barcelona struggles explained by Hansi Flick
Rashford has failed to register a goal or assist in his last six appearances, a contrast to his earlier impact this season.
Ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Rayo Vallecano on 21 March 2026, Flick revealed the reason behind the forward’s reduced involvement.
“Marcus had some issues in the last few days and we took care of him. Now he’s back to 100%.” — Hansi Flick
The Barcelona manager confirmed that fitness concerns, rather than form alone, had limited Rashford’s recent minutes.
Barcelona weighing €30m decision
Barcelona hold an option to sign Rashford permanently for €30m, with sporting director Deco previously confirming the clause.
Reports in Spain suggest the club remain interested in completing the deal, but their final decision will depend on both performance and financial considerations.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are not expected to negotiate on the fee, meaning Barcelona would need to meet the agreed valuation to secure the transfer.
However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about whether the deal will go through.
Rashford’s overall season still shows impact
Despite the recent dip, Rashford has contributed 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this season.
| Stat (La Liga 2025/26) | Marcus Rashford |
|---|---|
| Expected Goals | 5.84 |
| Expected Assists | 3.74 |
| Key Passes per game | 1.6 |
| Shots on target per game | 1.0 |
| Successful dribbles per game | 0.9 |
source: sofascore match data – 20 March 2026
Those numbers highlight his overall contribution, even if recent performances have fallen below expectations.
Based on recent matches we’ve covered, his role has also varied between wide positions and central attacking duties, which may have influenced consistency.
Manchester United monitoring situation
Rashford remains under contract at Manchester United until 2028, and the club are awaiting Barcelona’s decision before planning their next move.
If the Spanish side decline to activate the clause, he is expected to return to Old Trafford, where his long-term future would need to be reassessed.
With 12 matches remaining in Barcelona’s season, plus potential additional fixtures in Europe, there is still time for Rashford to influence the outcome.
Key Insights
- Hansi Flick confirmed Rashford’s recent struggles were partly fitness-related
- Barcelona hold a €30m option to sign him permanently
- Manchester United are not expected to reduce the asking price
- Rashford has contributed 10 goals and 13 assists this season
- His performances in the final matches could decide his future
What’s Next
Rashford is expected to return to full involvement as Barcelona manage a busy schedule across La Liga and European competition. His performances over the coming weeks will be closely monitored by both Barcelona and Manchester United.
A final decision on his future is likely to be made at the end of the season, once financial and sporting factors are fully assessed.
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