After a lightning-hot start for Barcelona, Marcus Rashford’s form has taken a tailspin in 2026, which has opened the possibility of a return to Manchester United.
Six months ago, Marcus Rashford looked guaranteed to earn a permanent switch to Camp Nou as he found form quickly for Barcelona.
Rashford showcased his best with performances in the Champions League and La Liga. However, Rashford’s snub in the knockout stages was a concerning sign.
The Manchester United loanee has shown familiar inconsistency, which now sees Barcelona unlikely to trigger their buy option, throwing his future up in the air massively.
What is Marcus Rashford truly worth in 2026 after his Barcelona loan?
Barcelona have a £26m buy option for Marcus Rashford, but what is he actually worth in today’s market?
Barcelona looking at signing Pedro Neto over Marcus Rashford
Barcelona don’t have to sign Rashford, and his wages combined with the £26m transfer fee likely mean that United will be welcoming him back to Carrington, with no desire to give a discount.
The pending La Liga champions have other priorities in the market, such as Julian Alvarez.
Now, according to Ben Jacobs speaking to The United Stand, Barcelona are also considering Chelsea winger Pedro Neto.
“Barcelona sources have implied that maybe they’ve got other options, including Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, who can play on both sides.
“Maybe their interest has cooled, and yet that has not been communicated to Marcus Rashford.”
Neto cost Chelsea £60m from Wolves, and it would be hard to imagine them accepting less than this to sell, considering how much football he plays.
If they have that much to spend on Neto, they have no reason to plead poverty over a Rashford move.
Are you worried Barcelona won’t sign Marcus Rashford permanently?
How does that change Man Utd’s transfer plans?
Should Manchester United take Marcus Rashford back?
If Barcelona don’t pay up, United must call their bluff on Rashford, because he is too good to sell for less than the agreed fee.
One big reason Barcelona can’t bully United into a cheaper sale is that Ruben Amorim is gone, and with him the real desire to see Rashford leave.
Amorim axed Rashford, probably for the best, as he hasn’t been committed, but a failed loan at Barcelona might see him return with renewed ambition to prove everyone wrong.
Michael Carrick would reportedly be open to Rashford returning, although this would only happen if Barcelona don’t sign him and no other clubs step forward with the likes of Chelsea a potential suitor.
United could weigh up the cost of keeping Rashford against signing another left-winger and decide that keeping him for a year under a coach who knows him is the better option.
That being said, United would have to demand behaviour from Rashford as he would be a leader, and so it wouldn’t be acceptable for him to go out partying.
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