Why Marcus Rashford salary bump could prove ‘bittersweet’ for Barcelona loanee

TL;DR

Marcus Rashford's potential salary increase at Manchester United could complicate his future at Barcelona, where he is currently on loan. While his salary is set to rise due to United's strong league position, this may hinder Barcelona's ability to keep him long-term.

Key points

Rashford is on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United.
His salary is set to increase due to United's strong league position.
Barcelona is hesitant to trigger Rashford's purchase option.
Ez Abde and Andreas Schjelderup are potential alternatives for Barcelona.
Rashford's contract with United runs until 2028.

Marcus RashfordFC BarcelonaManchester UnitedReal Betis

Marcus Rashford left winger of Barcelona and England during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Club Atlético de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano on April 14, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Marcus Rashford is currently facing a paradox that could dictate his future at the Camp Nou. While he remains the primary target for FC Barcelona to provide depth behind Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, a change in his salary could prove to complicate matters. According to reports, United players previously saw their wages slashed by 25% after failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. However, with the English side currently sitting comfortably in third place in the Premier League, those salaries are set to be restored as the Red Devils are poised to qualify for Europe’s top competition again. This automatic raise is something of a double-edged sword for Rashford, who has a contract with United until 2028. Of course, a salary increase is usually not a bad thing. But it could significantly hinder Barcelona’s ability to keep him. The about triggering his 30 million euro purchase option, and his rising wage demands make a permanent transfer or even a second loan move a difficult financial pill to swallow. Rashford did lower his salary to facilitate his initial move to Catalonia, but unless he is willing to make another sacrifice, the numbers simply might not add up for Deco and the board. Despite having the backing of Hansi Flick, Rashford’s recent performances have left some underwhelmed. His latest showing against Atlético Madrid was particularly scrutinized. After hitting the crossbar in the first leg, he struggled with finishing and was criticized as being invisible during the return leg. The financial and form factors combined have made Barcelona start looking for a “plan B” when it comes to a backup winger. . The Moroccan international is having a standout season at , tallying ten goals and nine assists. Barcelona still holds a 20% stake in any future sale of the winger, and while their previous buy-back option has expired, his “street football” style and improved defensive work rate have caught Deco’s eye. Another name on the radar is Benfica’s . The young Norwegian is valued at around 20 million euros and offers a similar profile to Rashford, a right-footed attacker who thrives on the left wing. While he is still developing and isn’t a locked-in starter for his national team yet, he is an intriguing prospect. Meanwhile, a return for seems increasingly unlikely. Currently on loan at , his future likely lies in Ligue 1.

Q&A

How will Marcus Rashford's salary increase affect his loan at Barcelona?

Rashford's salary increase could make it financially challenging for Barcelona to keep him, as they are hesitant to trigger his purchase option.

What are Barcelona's alternatives if they cannot keep Marcus Rashford?

Barcelona is considering other options like Ez Abde from Real Betis and Andreas Schjelderup from Benfica as potential replacements for Rashford.

What is the current status of Marcus Rashford's contract with Manchester United?

Rashford has a contract with Manchester United that runs until 2028, and his salary is set to increase as the team is likely to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.