Marcus Rashford’s departure from Manchester United becomes more complicated.

Marcus Rashford’s exit from Manchester United has become more complicated following the expiration of a clause in his contract that facilitated a transfer. The 29-year-old forward, who has not played for the first team since December 2024, saw his future become uncertain after Barcelona declined to make his loan in Spain permanent.

Barcelona had the option to buy Rashford for €30 million, a fee they deemed too high, choosing instead to pursue the signing of Anthony Gordon for £69 million. Rashford is expected to return to training with Manchester United for pre-season, but his definitive departure this summer now appears more complex due to the loss of the release clause.

According to The Athletic, the player’s contract included a £40 million release clause, valid for any club except rivals Manchester City and Liverpool. With the expiration of this clause, any transfer will have to be negotiated directly between clubs, eliminating the possibility of Rashford leaving for a fixed fee.

The forward has reportedly turned down several offers from interested clubs, including some that proposed amounts higher than his current contract with the Red Devils. There is also the possibility of Rashford being reintegrated into the first team under Michael Carrick, especially after his loan to Aston Villa, which came after he lost his place in the team under Ruben Amorim, the current coach of AC Milan.

The future of English international Marcus Rashford is expected to remain uncertain as he follows England’s campaign in the World Cup, which concludes with the third-place match on Saturday. Rashford has played five games for his country this summer, scored one goal, and came on in the dying moments of the semi-final against Argentina, where England was eliminated.

Manchester United has already begun pre-season training and is preparing for its first friendly match, which will take place on Saturday against Wrexham in Helsinki. The uncertainty surrounding Rashford’s future puts the club in a delicate position, especially in a market where decisions regarding the squad are urgent and crucial for the upcoming season.