Former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand has had his say on Marcus Rashford’s imminent loan move to Barcelona
There is an agreement in principle for Rashford to join the Catalan outfit on a season-long loan from Old Trafford.
The deal will include an option for Barcelona to sign the England international permanently next summer.
Rashford began to fall out of favour under Erik ten Hag before things got worse under new manager Ruben Amorim.
The Englishman was exiled by the Portuguese before joining Aston Villa on loan for the second half of the season.
And Ferdinand believes there must be more happening in the background than fans are aware of.
Rio Ferdinand has had his say on Marcus Rashford’s imminent loan move to Barcelona
There is an agreement in principle for Rashford to join the Catalan outfit on a season-long loan
Speaking on his YouTube channel about Rashford’s move, Ferdinand said: ‘There must have been so much going on behind the scenes that we’re just not aware of.
‘And Marcus isn’t someone who really wants to talk and do interviews, so you have to respect that.
‘But I’m sure it’ll come out in the wash at some point. Is it because of a lack of form? A lack of confidence? Mismanagement? Have the club failed him?
‘Or is it down to him? Is there injuries we don’t know about? Has he lost that desire? That form is gone and he can’t rekindle it and can’t get it back?
‘What are the issues that have led to a young kid that’s a graduate of the academy at Manchester United, which is famous for all of the great players that have come through there, that he says he wants to leave?’
During his time at Villa, Rashford made 17 appearances and scored four goals, while he provided six assists.
His current contract at United runs until the summer of 2028.
Barcelona are set to pay all of Rashford’s £315,000-a-week wages during his loan move.
Rashford was frozen out by Ruben Amorim shortly after the Portuguese took charge
The 27-year-old has been training away from the United squad at Carrington in pre-season so far and has been joined by Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.
Another sign of Rashford’s imminent departure from United came when his No10 shirt was given to new signing Matheus Cunha earlier this month.
Rashford has played 426 games for United and has scored 138 goals and he has also provided 77 assists.
He has won the FA Cup and the EFL Cup twice each and the Europa League once.
So far in this transfer window Barcelona have signed winger Roony Bardghji and goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
Barcelona had been heavily linked with Nico Williams, but the winger elected to sign a new ten-year contract with Athletic Bilbao.
Hansi Flick has made signing a left-sided attacker one of his priorities at Barcelona this summer.
