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Fresh details explaining why Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford turned down a move to Barcelona have been revealed.
United take on Barcelona on Thursday evening at the Camp Nou in the Europa League play-off round.
The Catalan giants are unbeaten in 16 games in all competitions and sit 11 points clear at the summit of La Liga.
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However, Erik ten Hag’s side are also in rejuvenated form. The Old Trafford club are within five points of Premier League leaders Manchester City, while they have the chance to win their first silverware of any kind since 2017 when they take on Newcastle United later this month in the Carabao Cup final.
Rashford has very much been central to United’s success this term. The forward has notched 21 goals and claimed eight assists in 34 appearances.
However, Rashford could have been turning out for Barcelona this evening, if the England star’s proposed move to the Catalan giants had not fallen through in 2019.
Rashford to Barcelona?
Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo has explained why Rashford turned down a move to Barcelona four years ago.
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The publication claimed Rashford's brothers told Barca at the time that the forward would reject United's contract renewal and attempt to force a move to the La Liga side
However, Rashford reportedly had doubts about the prospect of moving to Barcelona at 21, where he would have to adapt to a different culture, language and style of play as well as integrate with a star-studded dressing room.
In turn, Rashford allegedly told his brothers he preferred to stay at United under the then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had shown faith in him.
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Moreover, the publication claimed that United, upon realising Rashford could feasibly leave, decided to offer him a bumper new £250,000 five-year contract.
Thus on July 1, 2019, the Red Devils announced that Rashford had renewed his contract until 2023, with an option for an additional year.
Rashford to sign new Man Utd contract?
There has once again, been uncertainty regarding Rashford’s future at United. He is currently in talks over a new long-term deal at Old Trafford, though an agreement has not yet been struck.
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With only a year left on his current deal Football Insider have claimed Arsenal are monitoring the player’s contract situation. Indeed, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is thought to be a “huge fan” of the attacker.
Meanwhile, French giants PSG have been linked with Rashford on several occasions in the past. In December, the Mirror claimed PSG are putting together an enormous financial package to tempt the forward to move abroad.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Football, Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, Barcelona, Premier League, La Liga, Europa League