Marcus Rashford left Manchester United last summer to join Barcelona on loan (Image: Getty)
Former Premier League legend Alan Shearer has explained why it would come as no surprise to him if Marcus Rashford were to leave Manchester United and seal a permanent move to Barcelona. Rashford is currently spending the campaign on loan at the Camp Nou, having made clear his wish to leave United last summer.
Barcelona hold the option to sign Rashford on a permanent basis for a fee thought to be in the region of £26 million, though there is currently no indication that the La Liga giants are yet looking to open negotiations with United over a deal for the England international.
Rashford has thrived during his time at Barcelona this season, netting 12 goals and registering 13 assists for the Spanish outfit while helping steer his new side to the top of the La Liga table, boasting an eight-point advantage over Real Madrid with a game in hand.
Reports this week have claimed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reluctant to have Rashford back to United next season, with the club widely expected to move on without the forward in their squad, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Speculation has mounted considerably over recent months regarding whether Rashford will complete a permanent switch to Barcelona away from Old Trafford. Shearer has outlined why he is unsurprised by the lack of news regarding Rashford’s future, convinced that the England international is likely to leave United for Barca on a permanent basis this summer.
The former Newcastle frontman also stressed the importance of United securing a long-term manager before reaching any conclusion on Rashford’s future.
“I think that ship has sailed for Marcus Rashford to go back to Manchester United,” Shearer told Betfair.
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“I know he had his problems with the previous regime, United have to make a decision on who they appoint as manager first before they start trying to get Rashford back into the fold if that is possible at all.
“I think Barcelona are trying to play the game, I think they want to sign him and are trying to get the transfer fee down in what they’re doing, what they’re saying and the noises that are coming out. It’s not surprising, just the way negotiations are going.
Marcus Rashford has scored 12 goals during his loan spell at Barcelona (Image: Getty)
“I would be surprised if Marcus was not at Barcelona next season.
“At times he has shown his ability, but a lot of the time we have not seen it consistently. He had one or two disciplinary issues with previous managers, whether that was Erik ten Hag or whoever.
“There is great ability in Marcus, and we have seen that at Barcelona, one of if not the biggest clubs in the world and he’s had a really good season. He has been a really good squad player for them and when he’s been called upon, he’s done the business.
“The talent is there, but with Marcus it is just about doing it on a regular basis. It looks like he’s going to be in the England squad, there’s an argument for him to start at the World Cup, going up against Anthony Gordon on that left-hand side.”