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According to a report by the Daily Mirror on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Marcus Rashford is set to return to Manchester United after Barcelona decided not to activate their £26million option to sign the England forward permanently this summer.
Rashford, 28, spent the 2025/26 season on loan at the Spanish champions after leaving Old Trafford temporarily in search of regular football and a fresh start abroad. However, Barcelona have now reportedly opted against making the move permanent, effectively bringing his short spell in La Liga to an end.
The decision was finalised ahead of a key deadline, which is understood to expire on Monday, just days before England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia. Rashford will now return to Manchester United unless a new transfer opportunity emerges in the coming weeks.
According to reports in Spain, Barcelona have shifted their transfer priorities after completing a £60million deal for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon.
The signing is said to have played a decisive role in their decision, with both players operating in similar attacking roles within Hansi Flick’s system.
Barcelona’s squad planning reportedly includes Raphinha in a central attacking role, while concerns over squad balance, wages, and tactical fit influenced the club’s decision not to pursue Rashford permanently. Gordon’s age profile and pressing ability are also understood to have appealed more strongly to the club’s sporting direction.
Spanish outlet Marca reports that discussions within Barcelona’s hierarchy, including sporting director Deco and head coach Flick, led to doubts over whether Rashford was the right long-term fit. Those concerns ultimately resulted in the club stepping away from the option to buy.
Despite uncertainty over his future, Rashford has remained positive about his time in Spain. He previously expressed his desire to stay at Barcelona and described the club as one of the most iconic in football history.
During his loan spell, he also maintained strong relationships within the squad and was said to have spoken positively about life in the city and team environment.
Rashford is now expected to reassess his next move following his return to Manchester United, with his long-term future still unresolved. His situation is likely to attract interest in the transfer market, particularly given his experience at the highest level and his role within the England national team setup ahead of the World Cup.
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