Man Utd agree Marcus Rashford loan exit to Barcelona on two conditions - opinion

Marcus Rashford has likely played his last game for Manchester United after he was given permission to stay away from pre-season training in order to finalise a move away from the club.

The United academy graduate has also had his number 10 shirt handed to Matheus Cunha, in the biggest indication from the club themselves that Rashford does not have a future at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old first expressed a desire to leave his hometown club back in mid-December. After being dropped for the Manchester derby against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, he said he was ready to find a new challenge.

After links in January to several European clubs on the continent - such as Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and AS Moncao - he signed for Aston Villa on loan. Rashford played 17 times for Aston Villa, scoring four goals and providing six assists.

Marcus Rashford wants Barcelona move as he seeks Manchester United exit

Rashford reportedly was against the idea of being involved in a United and Villa swap deal that would have seen Ollie Watkins move the other way. Fabrizio Romano gave an update on Rashford’s intentions, speaking on his YouTube channel he said: “Marcus Rashford would be very keen on a move to Barcelona. Marcus Rashford is very open to that opportunity. I always told you since January and I keep repeating that Rashford would love Barca move and he's basically waiting for Barca move because he has many opportunities.

“Rashford is losing the number 10. He was informed 24 hours before about that, through his agents of course, but let me say that it's not just Marcus Rashford desire to leave Manchester United.

“All of this also starts from Manchester United desire to part ways from Marcus Rashford since January and continuing this summer. So it's not only Rashford who wants to leave United but there is also United who are pushing the opportunity to sell Marcus Rashford or to find a solution for him this summer.

“When I say Man United it's the management, it's the coach Ruben Amorim. So all parties are going to the same direction for Marcus Rashford to leave.”

Man Utd would accept Barca loan offer on two conditions - opinion

United need to raise funds to help Ruben Amorim with his rebuild. They have enough finances to complete a deal for Bryan Mbeumo, with an agreement reportedly close having already secured the arrival of Cunha.

Barcelona are not flush with transfer funds although could now have more freed up after they missed out on signing Nico Williams. However, a loan has been touted as an option and there’s two conditions of a loan that would make sense for United.

The first is that Barcelona cover Rashford’s full wages. If he was to join the La Liga club in mid-June, a season-long loan would equal about 45 weeks as the loan agreements normally run until the end of May. Rashford has a base salary of around £300,000 and if his full wages were covered, it would save United £13.5m if he was to join in the coming weeks.

The United academy graduate might be required to take a pay-cut to join Barca but the Red Devils should do all they can to completely clear his wage. The second condition must be an obligation to buy.

There must also be no backdoor exits in the agreement, such as the one Chelsea had as they paid £5m to not sign Jadon Sancho. Full salary coverage and an obligation to buy allows United to seek a suitable replacement knowing they can save a huge chunk on wages and be secure in the knowledge a transfer fee is coming 12 months down the line.