BREAKING: Barcelona announce Marcus Rashford loan deal as Man Utd outcast seals exit

Barcelona have wrapped up the loan signing of Marcus Rashford, giving the England star an escape from Manchester United after being frozen out by manager Ruben Amorim.

Rashford has not played for United since December 2024 after a row with Amorim over his training performances and he was later sent on loan to Aston Villa, where he showed glimpses of his ability before suffering a season-ending injury.

But now the 27-year-old has a chance to impress on the biggest stage and compete for a starting spot with the likes of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha under new boss Hansi Flick. Barcelona will cover Rashford's wages for the duration of his spell, though the player will take a pay cut on his usual salary of £325,000-a-week.

The club have a £26million option to buy next summer and there is huge anticipation to see how Rashford gets on alongside a star-studded squad that will be competing on multiple fronts for silverware. Rashford is said to have emerged as Barcelona's "priority target" after Nico Williams decided to sign a 10-year deal with Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona won La Liga in Flick's first season but now want to push on and become a force in Europe, with Rashford the club's third major signing this summer after goalkeeper Joan Garcia and Copenhagen forward Roony Bardghji. Rashford's first goal at the Nou Camp will be to break into the first team, knowing it will be hard to displace either Yamal or Raphinha on the wings.

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Yamal is considered one of the best players in world football right now, with the teenager scoring 18 and assisting 16 in all competitions last season. Brazilian star Raphinha, meanwhile, had an even better campaign as he scored 34 times and assisted 17.

Barcelona fans do appear to be excited by Rashford's arrival on loan after creating a mural for him pictured in the club's colours, while much of the reaction to his signing has been positive. Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo report that he'll wear the No.14 shirt, last worn by Pablo Torre, who recently joined Mallorca.

Rashford arrives with some pedigree, having won five trophies during his time at United and scoring 138 goals in 426 appearances. He has also notched 17 goals in 62 caps for England.

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