Barcelona's Marcus Rashford transfer decision made amid Man United return claims

Marcus Rashford has struggled to make an impact at Barcelona since joining on loan from Manchester United, but reports suggesting he could be sent back to Old Trafford are wide of the mark

Claims that Barcelona might return Marcus Rashford to Manchester United have been dismissed as "absolutely rubbish".

The 27-year-old moved to the Catalan club on loan this summer, with Barcelona reportedly covering his full wages and holding a purchase option worth approximately £20million. Despite earning a recall to the England squad and featuring against Andorra on Saturday, Rashford has struggled to settle in Spain.

The forward has appeared in all three of Barcelona's opening La Liga fixtures, though he has only started once before being substituted at the interval. Barcelona's hierarchy are said to harbour doubts about Rashford, with Spanish publication El Nacional suggesting club officials remain underwhelmed by his sluggish beginning, characterising him as "shy, imprecise and lost" during matches, reports the Daily Star.

The report further suggests Barcelona are considering terminating the arrangement before Christmas, though the Blaugrana would face a £4.3m penalty for ending the deal prematurely. Nevertheless, CBS journalist Guillem Balague has rubbished speculation that Rashford might return to Old Trafford, calling such reports "absolutely rubbish."

He said: "Barça told his representative that they have a lot of confidence in Rashford's potential and that they believe he will recover as a top player.

"No more to say, apart from the fact I agree with Gary Lineker and his treatment by some media."

Lineker has been outspoken in his backing of Rashford, and suggested last month that the forward wouldn't encounter the same level of criticism if he was white. It remains unclear which specific remarks from Lineker that Balague was referencing.

During an August episode of his The Rest Is Football podcast, the former Barcelona forward commented: "You know I am a massive supporter of what you did, I think everyone is, you shifted government policy and all that sort of thing. It was remarkable.

"Always my fear was, the minute he has a bad spell, they'll blame that. Obviously I'm saying that because I feel it a little bit, but I think sometimes the criticism of you... he might go on a night out, he might go out in a certain outfit, and that will be criticised.

"I don't think that would be criticised if that was a white player."

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was allegedly the driving force behind Rashford's signing, and the German tactician has been particularly protective of the England star's displays and participation.

He commented last month: "He gives us more possibilities. I know he's more comfortable playing as a winger, but with his strengths, he contributes a lot to our play. I'm confident we'll see a great Marcus Rashford this season."

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