Marcus Rashford Playing For Barcelona During 2025-26 Season
Marcus Rashford’s Spanish adventure has been one of football’s most intriguing subplots this season — but not everyone’s convinced he’s safe just yet. England legend Chris Waddle has warned that Barcelona could still send the on-loan Manchester United forward back to Old Trafford, despite his impressive start in La Liga.
After a dramatic fallout with Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim and a forgettable pre-season that landed him in the “bomb squad,” Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona looked like a much-needed lifeline.
And to his credit, he’s made a strong impression — five goals and seven assists in just 13 appearances, including a Champions League brace against Olympiacos. His link-up play with Mbappe and De Jong has impressed Hansi Flick, and the English forward looks rejuvenated in Spain’s sunshine.
But Chris Waddle isn’t buying the hype entirely.
Speaking to BoyleSports, the former England winger didn’t mince words:
“This season will be crucial for Rashford. He cannot afford inconsistency — he has to play every game like it’s a final if he wants Barcelona to sign him permanently.”
Waddle emphasized that Rashford’s “OK, not unbelievable” performances may not be enough to convince Barcelona, especially considering their financial situation and his high wages at Manchester United.
“Barcelona might be thinking, ‘We’ve saved on a transfer fee this season, but can we afford his wages long-term?’ If he doesn’t hit 20 goals and deliver man-of-the-match performances consistently, they could easily look elsewhere.”
Barcelona’s finances remain fragile after years of instability. The Catalan giants have been aggressively cutting costs and trimming their wage bill — a stark contrast to Rashford’s hefty Manchester United contract, which runs until 2028.
Waddle believes this could be the real hurdle:
“Barcelona may not match Rashford’s current salary. They’re already looking at alternatives for the left-wing and centre-forward positions. If they find another target who fits their system better — Rashford could be on his way back to Manchester.”
Despite the speculation, Rashford has made it clear he’s loving life in Catalonia. Speaking in a recent interview on Barcelona’s official YouTube channel, the forward said:
“I’m really enjoying my time in Spain — the weather, the football, everything. This club is special. For anyone who loves football, playing for Barcelona is an honour. I hope to stay here for a long time.”
He added that after spending over two decades with Manchester United, a change of scenery was necessary:
“Sometimes you just need a change. I feel like this was the right time for me. I’m adapting, learning, and hungry to keep improving.”
Rashford’s Barcelona chapter is off to a strong start — but as Waddle points out, it’s still a trial period. For now, the Englishman’s future hangs in the balance. Performances in the coming months will decide whether he becomes a long-term fixture at Camp Nou or boards the next flight back to Manchester.
One thing’s certain — all eyes will be on Rashford as the season heats up.
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