Rashford Joins Barcelona on Loan, Seeking Fresh Start After United Exit

Marcus Rashford has completed a season-long loan move to FC Barcelona from Manchester United, calling the switch to the La Liga giants a chance to join a club where “people’s dreams come true.”

The 27-year-old England international was officially unveiled on Wednesday after finalizing the temporary move, which includes an option for Barcelona to make the transfer permanent for a reported fee of €35 million (£30.3 million) in 2026. He becomes the first English player to sign for the Catalan club since Gary Lineker in 1986.

“I’m very excited,” Rashford told Barcelona’s official media channels. “What the club stands for means a lot for me. I feel like I’m at home and a big factor in my choice to come here is because it is a family place and a good place for good players to showcase their skills.”

The move marks a crucial turning point for Rashford, whose relationship with his boyhood club, Manchester United, had deteriorated significantly. He has not played for United since last December after being dropped by new manager Ruben Amorim and was one of five senior players told to train separately from the first-team squad this summer.

Rashford’s difficulties at Old Trafford pre-date Amorim’s arrival. After a career-best 30-goal season in 2022-23, his form declined sharply, and he was the subject of multiple disciplinary actions under former manager Erik ten Hag. A loan spell at Aston Villa for the second half of last season saw a partial return to form, with 10 goal involvements in 17 appearances.

The forward cited conversations with new Barcelona coach Hansi Flick as a key influence on his decision. “What he did last season was terrific,” Rashford said. “To lead such a young team to a very successful season and come back to pre-season and still want to do more, it shows me everything I thought I knew about the club.”

Barcelona will cover Rashford’s full wages for the duration of the loan, with the player reportedly agreeing to a pay cut to facilitate the move. He has already begun training with his new teammates and is expected to be included in the squad for their upcoming pre-season tour of Asia.