Manchester United has informed Barcelona that they will not accept less than the agreed £26 million for Marcus Rashford. Rashford is currently on loan in Spain and has performed well, contributing to 23 goals this season. However, Barcelona is trying to pay a lower amount due to their own money problems. Manchester United needs the full payment to help their own finances and follow league rules under their new head coach, Michael Carrick. While Rashford has said he wants to stay in Spain, a recent knee injury and the disagreement over the fee have put the deal at risk. If the two clubs cannot agree, Rashford may have to return to Manchester, where his future remains uncertain.
The Timeline Of Events
The current situation is the result of a series of changes for both the player and the clubs over the past year:
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Late 2024: Rashford fell out of favor with former manager Ruben Amorim and lost his starting spot.
Early 2025: Rashford joined Aston Villa on a six-month loan to regain his form.
Summer 2025: Barcelona signed Rashford on a season-long loan with an option to buy him for £26 million.
February 2026: Barcelona reportedly offered €22 million (about £18.5 million) to make the move permanent, which Manchester United rejected.
Current Week: Reports confirm Manchester United will not change their mind on the price, while Rashford deals with a new knee injury.
Evidence And Financial Data
The following data outlines the current standing of the transfer and the player's performance during his time in Spain:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Agreed Buy Option | £26 million |
| Reported Barcelona Offer | €22 million |
| Loan Performance | 10 Goals, 13 Assists in 34 games |
| Current Injury | Left knee (bruise/blow) |
| Contract Status | On loan from Manchester United |
"Manchester United are not and will not re-negotiate with Barcelona over the option fee for Marcus Rashford." — Sky Sports News
The core issue is a disagreement between a fixed contract price and Barcelona's attempt to save money during a financial squeeze.
Deep Dive: The Financial Standoff
Barcelona is currently trying to secure Rashford permanently but is struggling with "strict financial fair play and salary cap" rules. They have reportedly asked Manchester United for a discount or suggested swapping players to lower the cash price. Names like Ronald Araujo and Marc Casado have been mentioned as possible trade options.
On the other side, Manchester United is preparing to release their second-quarter financial results. These figures show the club needs to save money on wages and bring in cash from player sales. The club sees the £26 million fee as a fair price for a 28-year-old England international who has regained his form. Manchester United is treating the current price as "unchanged" and will not entertain lower offers.
Read More: Manchester United Pays Ruben Amorim £10 Million After Sacking Him on January 5, 2026
Deep Dive: The Injury Factor
A new problem has appeared that could stop the transfer entirely. Marcus Rashford missed his last two matches for Barcelona due to a knee injury. He suffered a blow to his left knee during a game against Mallorca.
While the injury was first seen as a minor bruise, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has taken a very careful approach. Some reports suggest that if the injury turns out to be a long-term problem, Barcelona might withdraw from the deal altogether. This creates a question for the investigators: Is Barcelona using the injury as a way to force a lower price, or is the physical health of the player a genuine reason to cancel the deal?
Deep Dive: The Coaching Shift At Manchester United
When Rashford left Manchester, he was not getting along with the manager at the time. However, Manchester United now has a new head coach, Michael Carrick. There were early rumors that Carrick might want to bring Rashford back to the squad.
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However, current evidence suggests this is unlikely. Reports state that Manchester United's stance has not changed despite the new coach. Furthermore, some club insiders have been critical of Rashford’s past behavior, suggesting he "tossed off" his career at Old Trafford. This makes a return to Manchester difficult, even if the Barcelona deal fails.
Expert Analysis
Deco, the Sporting Director at Barcelona, has spoken about Rashford's desire to play in Spain. He noted that Rashford had several choices last summer but "only had eyes for one move" once Barcelona showed interest. This confirms the player's commitment to the Spanish club.
Hansi Flick, the manager of Barcelona, has provided updates on Rashford's health. He explained that the club must manage the player's recovery carefully to ensure he can play at a high level. This suggests that while Flick values the player, the club is worried about his long-term fitness.
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Former football staff have also weighed in. Rod Thornley, a former United employee, claimed that Rashford’s decline in England was "self-inflicted," which supports the idea that the club is ready to move on regardless of who the manager is.
Investigation Findings
The investigation into the Rashford transfer reveals three main points:
Manchester United’s position is firm: The club needs the £26 million for financial stability and will not accept Barcelona's lower offer of €22 million.
Player intent is clear: Marcus Rashford has agreed to take a lower salary to stay at Barcelona and has settled well in Spain, but he does not control the transfer fee.
Physical health is a new risk: The knee injury has introduced uncertainty. Barcelona may use this as a reason to walk away if they cannot get a discount.
The next step in this process will be the end-of-season deadline. Barcelona must decide if they will pay the full amount or let the player return to England. If Manchester United continues to refuse a discount, and Barcelona refuses to pay, Rashford’s career could face another period of instability.
Used Sources
Daily Mail: Man United shut down Barcelona's plot to lower Rashford transfer fee — Reports on United's refusal to lower the fee and the impact of financial results.
Football365: Man Utd 'unwilling' to accept Barcelona, Rashford transfer demand — Details Sky Sports' understanding that United will not re-negotiate.
ESPN: Man United won't reduce fee for Barcelona to retain Marcus Rashford — Confirms the stance remains unchanged despite the coaching change.
The Hard Tackle: Manchester United unwilling to give discount to Barcelona — Discusses Rashford's revival in Spain and Barcelona's tricky finances.
Manchester Evening News: Rashford 'agrees' Man United sacrifice — Details on the player's wage reduction and desire to stay.
The Mirror: Marcus Rashford plan confirmed by Barca as setback could cause issue — Update on the knee injury and Hansi Flick's comments.
OneFootball: Man Utd respond to ‘first official’ Barcelona ‘offer’ — Covers the rejection of the €22m bid.
