Marcus Rashford has sent an emotional farewell message to Barcelona fans, signaling his expected return to Manchester United for pre-season training. The forward spent the past season on loan at the Nou Camp, where he contributed 14 goals and 14 assists to help the Catalan club secure the La Liga title and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Barcelona opted not to trigger a £26 million option to permanently sign Rashford before a mid-June deadline, instead acquiring Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for £70 million. Rashford took to social media on Thursday, sharing a photo of his No. 14 Barcelona shirt and action shots with a message of gratitude.
"I am extremely grateful to everyone at the club for making my time here a positive and unforgettable experience. I enjoyed every moment, and I will keep many special memories. I wish the club and all its fans every success in the coming season. Visca Barca!" he wrote.
Rashford is now set to rejoin Manchester United, where he has a contract through June 2028 with a reported weekly wage of £315,000. The England international is currently on a break following his participation in England's run to the World Cup semi-finals. It remains to be seen if he will be included in United's upcoming training camp in Ireland, which features a friendly against Leeds at Croke Park on August 12.
Given Manchester United's need for a left-sided attacker and Rashford's existing contract, his reintegration into manager Michael Carrick's squad appears likely. This contrasts with the previous summer, when he was sidelined by then-coach Ruben Amorim before his move to Barcelona.
Manchester United had initially sought to move Rashford, their highest earner, off the wage bill by setting a £40 million asking price. However, finding a club willing to meet both his salary demands and a transfer fee exceeding the £26 million stipulated in the Barcelona loan agreement proved challenging. The club also faced high replacement costs, as seen when West Ham's Crysencio Summerville joined Al-Hilal for £60 million.
While the transfer window remains open until September 1, with potential for further developments, the likelihood of Rashford remaining at Manchester United appears to be increasing.