'Contract signed' - Man Utd transfer deal completed 'this afternoon' with agreement reached

Manchester United have confirmed their second loan exit of the summer with Marcus Rashford completing his loan move to Barcelona after signing his contract with the Spanish club on Wednesday afternoon.

Young goalkeeper Elyh Harrison, who was held back to remain part of the Red Devils squad in January, made the move to Shrewsbury Town with Rashford swiftly following him out the temporary exit door. Harrison could still have a future at Old Trafford but Rashford is not expected to play for the club again.

Barca have agreed to cover his full salary, as the La Liga outfit confirmed on Wednesday: “Barcelona and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the loan of the player Marcus Rashford until 30 June 2026. The agreement also establishes an option to buy the English forward.

“The player have signed his contract as a Barça player this afternoon in at a private meeting in the presence of the FC Barcelona president, Joan Laporta; the director of the Football Area, and other Board members.”

Rashford one of several expected exits

The striker is the fifth senior player to leave United this summer along with Harrison and the released trio of Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof. Evans has retired and remains with United in a coaching capacity.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Antony are all expected to leave the club after informing United bosses of their respective desires to leave Old Trafford. All bar Garnacho left on loan last season, as did Rashford, but the Argentine forward was critical of Amorim’s decision to drop him for the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, in comments which have proven to open the door for his exit from the club.

United need player sales in order to fund further transfer arrivals and while Rashford has left on loan, they have got his wage off the books which is expected to save them around £14m a year. In their statement confirming his loan exit, United said: “Everyone at Manchester United wishes Marcus good luck for the season.”

Marcus Rashford reacts to Barcelona move

"I'm very excited," Rashford said after joining the Spanish side. "It's a club where people's dreams come true, they win big prizes.

"What the club stands for means a lot for me. I feel like I'm at home and a big factor in my choice to come here is because it is a family place and a good place for good players to showcase their skills.

"Another factor is because the conversations I had with [Hansi Flick] were positive. What he did last season was terrific. To lead such a young team to a very successful season and come back to pre-season and still want to do more, it shows me everything I thought I knew about the club and it's everything I wished.

"I'm eager to learn the Barcelona way."