Barcelona sporting director Deco has issued an update on Marcus Rashford amid his loan move from Manchester United.
Manchester United currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League and are close to breaking into the top European spots. The club host 17th-place West Ham on Thursday evening and will be looking for three points to push them into the top five.
With the January transfer window swiftly approaching, United will begin to revise their transfer strategy and keep an eye on their loanees. Decisions must be made over loan players who are at top clubs, such as Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho.
A change in form is much needed for these players to convince Rúben Amorim to allow a return to United, but both these loans have until July to do so. United will also be looking to recruit new signings, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has been one of the players rumoured to a move.
With a tight fixture list and midweek matches upcoming for United, injuries are expected to begin to affect the team’s performance, and the January window will need to be used to boost squad depth before larger-profile signings can happen in the summer.
Deco ‘happy’ with Rashford’s Barcelona form
Marcus Rashford is another player who left United on loan during the summer transfer window, joining Barcelona in Spain. Rashford has been on top form for the Culers, scoring six goals and providing nine assists in 18 appearances.
However, recent reports suggest it’s unlikely the Catalan giants will exercise his £26 million buy option in the summer amid their desire to sign younger forwards in 2026.
Still, Barcelona’s director of football, Deco, was asked about Rashford’s future with the club after rumours of a permanent transfer being plausible.
During an interview with SER Catalunya, Deco seemingly shrugged off the claims, saying, “nothing has been decided with Marcus Rashford,” as quoted by Football Espana.
Deco continued saying, “It’s not the time to make decisions about the future. We’re happy with him. Rashford is giving us a lot. Strategically, it’s not the time to talk about signings.” It’s clear that a decision is yet to be made over the English winger, but the club is impressed with his form.
As Barcelona sit on top of the league following a win over rivals Atletico Madrid, we expect to see more of Marcus Rashford’s hot form throughout the remainder of the season.
With the star in top form and Tuchel being impressed by the winger, Rashford looks likely to be the only United representative in the England World Cup 2026 squad.
United’s squad depth to be put to the test over the coming months
With Bryan Mbeumo and Amad amongst players leaving to represent their respective nations in AFCON, United’s winger options sharply decrease. Amorim has to make a decision on how he wants to set up United towards the end of the month.
Bruno Fernandes often featured on the right side under Erik ten Hag, though this was poorly received by United fans. Other options include Mason Mount or Matheus Cunha but with injuries surrounding both these stars squad depth is becoming a worry.
Read More: Rúben Amorim confirms possible Man Utd injury blows vs West Ham, Matheus Cunha returns to training
Amorim has also begun to look towards academy options, with 18-year-old Shea Lacey featuring in the senior team training. The right winger has been chosen on the bench for United’s last two Premier League games but has yet to come on.
With the squad stretched across important games, a question can be raised about the loan of Rashford and whether United will want the star back at the club next season following his impressive start for Barcelona.
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