Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has refused to guarantee that Marcus Rashford will remain at the Camp Nou beyond the current season, opening the door for a potential return to Manchester United.
“We Don’t Know What Will Happen”: Flick Delivers Blow to Rashford’s Barcelona Future
The England forward joined Barcelona on a season-long loan last summer seeking to revive his career after falling out of favour at Old Trafford.
Rashford has delivered a productive campaign in Spain, recording 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions.
However, his role has diminished in recent weeks. The 28-year-old has started just once in Barcelona’s last seven matches, with Flick increasingly using him as a substitute in victories over Sevilla and Newcastle United.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Sunday’s La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano, Flick offered little clarity on whether the club will activate their £26 million purchase option.
“We need everyone until the end, and we don’t know what will happen after that,” Flick said. “There’s time. There’s a World Cup.
“I believe in my players. Cancelo, Rashford… they give us quality. And the rest, too. We’ll talk at the end and see what happens.
Now is not the time to say ‘I want this one, I don’t want that one.’ Anything can happen.”
Flick’s non-committal stance has fueled speculation that a permanent deal is far from certain.
Manchester United remain open to reintegrating Rashford if Barcelona do not finalise a transfer this summer.
While Barcelona president Joan Laporta is reportedly keen on negotiating a second loan, United have no interest in another temporary arrangement.
Old Trafford officials believe Rashford’s resurgence in Spain has pushed his market value to around £50 million—nearly double the current release clause in his loan agreement.
United are prepared to sell the striker to the highest bidder in the off-season to generate funds for their own squad rebuild.
For now, Rashford remains focused on helping Barcelona push for domestic and European honours. But with Flick unwilling to commit and United ready to move on, the forward’s long-term future looks increasingly uncertain.
