Marcus Rashford ‘moves on from Man United’: Barcelona want to exercise their £26m purchase option – leaving Michael Carrick powerless even if he wants him back

Marcus Rashford has reportedly moved on from Manchester United, with Barcelona planning to exercise their £26million option to buy the forward at the end of the season.

The England international left his boyhood club on loan last summer to join Barcelona after falling out with former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, who placed Rashford in his ‘bomb squad’ and exiled him from the first-team.

Since moving to the Spanish giants, Rashford has revived his career with a string of superb performances, chalking up 22 goal contributions in 32 games and winning his place back in the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.

With interim manager Michael Carrick now at the helm and having restored a feel-good factor at Old Trafford with three successive wins, many fans have speculated whether Rashford would give his boyhood club another chance when his loan deal expires at the end of the season. 

But, according to Spanish newspaper Marca, Rashford has moved on from Old Trafford and wants to commit his future to the Catalan club.

Manchester United and Barcelona agreed a £26m purchase option in Rashford’s loan deal, leaving the Red Devils powerless to prevent the forward from completing a permanent move to the Nou Camp should the Spanish giants activate the clause.

It is understood Michael Carrick will have a hard time convincing Rashford to return to Old Trafford after his loan expires, with Barcelona eager to exercise their £26m purchase option

After initially moving into the luxurious Gran Melia Hotel, Rashford has now put down roots in Catalonia

Barcelona, who have been entrenched in an ongoing financial crisis and forced to balance their books over the past few seasons, are keen to trigger the £26m buy option according to the Spanish outlet.

In December, Rashford opened up to the BBC about his new life in Barcelona. He said: ‘It’s been amazing. I feel welcome, I feel at home. I’ve just been enjoying every step of the way.

‘Learning the language and stuff like that, learning the culture, it’s all enjoyable for me. It’s something I wanted to do for a long time and this is the perfect opportunity. 

‘I’m understanding more now, and the speaking side of it, it’s more just confidence to do it in front of a group.’

Initially moving into the five-star Gran Melia Torre Melina, where a one-bed President Suite can cost up to £3,233 per night, Rashford has since put down roots in the city after moving into an apartment in the upmarket district of Esplugues de Llobregat in the west of the city.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Colleserola mountains, the commune on the outskirts of the city has previously attracted the likes of Gerard Pique and Andre Iniesta as residents.

It was reported last week that Carrick is eager to keep Rashford at Manchester United when his loan deal expires on June 30, provided he gets the permanent job.

Carrick continued his excellent start as interim boss with a dramatic late 3-2 win over Fulham on Sunday, having guided the Red Devils to victories against Manchester City and Arsenal in his first two games in charge.