Marcus Rashford's Manchester United exit grows more complicated as 'clause expires'

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Evening Standard

16 July 2026

Forward’s future in flux after Barcelona declined to turn loan move permanent

Marcus Rashford

’s chances of leaving

Manchester United

this summer have been knocked after a release clause in his contract expired.

The 29-year-old has not made a first-team appearance for United since December 2024, spending time on loan at Aston Villa and Barcelona since, but his future has been left in flux after the Blaugrana decided against making his stay in Spain permanent.

They had the option to do so for €30million (£25.4m), which they deemed too expensive and

opted instead to sign Anthony Gordon for £69m

Rashford is set to join back up with United for pre-season, though he still seems set to leave the club on a permanent basis this summer.

His chances of doing so, though, have just become more complex after his release clause expired, per The Athletic.

Marcus Rashford last played for

in 2025

Manchester United via Getty Images

Rashford’s contract had contained a £40m release clause available to any club except Manchester City and Liverpool, United’s two main rivals.

The player’s transfer will now require club-to-club negotiation to determine a price, whereas previously he could have left United if any willing club simply paid the flat fee.

Rashford is said to have already turned down multiple contract offers from interested clubs, including some offers worth more than his current deal with

Man United

There is some chance Rashford could reintegrate at United under Michael Carrick. His departure on loan to Aston Villa came after he fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim, who is now in charge at AC Milan.

Rashford’s future is likely to remain unconfirmed for the time being as he sees out England’s World Cup campaign, which will end with the bronze medal match on Saturday. He has made five appearances for England this summer, scoring once, and was thrown on in the dying seconds as England were knocked out of the semi-finals by Argentina on Wednesday.

Man United have already joined up for pre-season training and will stage their first summer friendly on Saturday, facing Wrexham in Helsinki.

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