Recommended reading

Manchester United report: Marcus Rashford has already agreed Barcelona deal, with Xavi set to make 2023 move

By published

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has agreed terms with Barcelona in the past – now a fresh move could see the No.10 leave Manchester for Catalonia

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Manchester, England.
(Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford is a target for Barcelona – and he's already agreed to join them once. 

The much-loved Red Devils star is out of contract at the end of the season and talks have not yet begun on a new deal just yet, despite Rashford starting regularly under Erik ten Hag this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo's contract is also set to expire next summer and is perhaps the more talked-about deal at Old Trafford right now. Two-goal hero from the weekend, Anthony Martial will see his terms end in 2024. 

Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for Manchester United in the derby against Manchester City.

Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench for Manchester United during the 6-3 Manchester derby defeat – and he's set to leave for nothing next summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to SPORT, Barcelona are keen on bringing Rashford to the Camp Nou when his deal ends, with Xavi said to be a fan of the player.

The 24-year-old can play across the frontline, specialising on the left wing but playing regularly on the right for former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Ten Hag has favoured Rashford centrally, with fellow England World Cup hopeful Jadon Sancho used predominantly on the left ahead of Luke Shaw. 

And Barça have reason to believe that Rashford would be open to the deal. According to Mundo Deportivo, Rashford has already agreed a deal with Barcelona once before, in 2018. 

If anything, it may be easier to re-agree another deal. The Catalan outfit are slightly more flushed with cash after pulling various economic levers during the summer, while Rashford might have reduced demands having fallen out of favour in the England set-up and being keen to reignite his career. 

Gareth Southgate reacts as he leads a training session of the England's football team at the St George's Park stadium in Burton-upon-Trent on May 30, 2022 as part of the team's preparation for the upcoming UEFA Nations League.

Gareth Southgate has left Marcus Rashford out of his last two England squads (Image credit: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

This deal has a long way to go, however. It seems unlikely that United will want to surrender such a prized asset without at least opening talks on a new deal.

Rashford is valued at around £54 million by Transfermarkt. 

More Manchester United stories

Plans for January at Manchester United are already being drawn up but apparently depend upon the future of Cristiano Ronaldo. 

A replacement for David De Gea has apparently been identified, while Jude Bellingham is apparently on the radar. United are also in for Barcelona ace Gavi.

Meanwhile, former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has been speaking to FFT about the influence of American owners and how they threaten "the fabric of the English game".

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.