Manchester United transfer update: Club reportedly in talks with European giant over Marcus Rashford loan deal

Ruben Amorim's side are set to take on FCSB in the Europa League on Thursday, and the Portuguese boss is set to leave Rashford out once again.

With just days left of the January transfer window, the Red Devils have not yet found a solution for their standoff with the attacker after he revealed he was ready to leave the club in December.

One of the stumbling blocks in his potential transfer away from the club is his sizeable wages, which are reported to be in excess of £300k a week.

However, the Telegraph claim that the Red Devils are trying to work out a way of coming to terms with Barcelona, but suggest that a deal is difficult and that Amorim may have to reconcile with the 27-year-old if no agreement can be reached.

Would Barcelona be a good move for Rashford?

A transfer to Hansi Flick's Barcelona would provide Rashford with the opportunity to play Champions League football, and the Catalan club have qualified on the easier side of the draw having finished second in the league phase.

Barca are third in La Liga and trail leaders Real Madrid by seven points, so perhaps Rashford's signing would allow the Spanish side to better compete on multiple fronts, with the United forward rotating in and out of the team for regular attackers Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

Flick's more direct style of play could also benefit Rashford given the Englishman has shown in the past that he thrives during transitional attacks.

However, the winger has been criticised for his performances off the ball this term, and he could struggle to adapt to Flick's more aggressive approach.

Additionally, it is difficult to see Rashford breaking into the first-choice XI considering Barcelona have been rampant in front of goal this season, scoring 59 goals in La Liga and 28 goals in eight Champions League matches.

Why Manchester United need to sell Rashford

United look set to complete the signing of Patrick Dorgu from Italian side Lecce, but the club are said to be struggling to finance other deals.

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has come under fire for implementing cost-cutting measures during his time at Old Trafford in a bid to help the team falling foul of the Premier League's financial rules.

The Red Devils would almost certainly be forced to subsidise a substantial portion of Rashford's wages should he transfer to Barcelona, and a loan deal would do little to help Amorim generate funds for either the January or summer transfer windows.

It should also be noted that a permanent move would likely help Rashford himself settle as a player considering the turmoil that he is currently facing at Old Trafford.

Written by

Lewis Nolan