Marcus Rashford completes stunning Barcelona loan transfer as he finally seals Man Utd exit

MARCUS RASHFORD has officially joined Barcelona on a season-long loan from boyhood club Manchester United.

The 27-year-old winger’s Old Trafford future was deemed practically over when the club handed his No10 shirt to new signing .

Rashford has been looking for a new home after falling out with a month after the manager arrived from Sporting Lisbon.

And the England star has finally secured his dream move to Barcelona, who now have an option to BUY the Red Devils academy graduate come the end of next season for £26million.

The move will be Rashford’s second consecutive loan spell after a six-month stint with in the second half of last season.

are understood to be paying 100 per cent of Rashford’s whopping £325,000-a-week wages - which he’s unlikely to get should he permanently move to the Nou Camp in 2026.

Taking Rashford on an initial temporary basis helps Barca as they continue to navigate a difficult financial situation, with the player also eager to secure a place in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The deal does not allow to recall the forward and a permanent switch will see Rashford end his 20-year association with United.

The Red Devils will save £15MILLION in wages over the next year, which could provide Amorim with vital funds to overhaul his squad.

Rashford has not featured for United since theEuropa Leagueclash against Viktoria Plzen on December 12, having first been left out of the squad for thePremier Leaguewin overon December 15.

United have never publicly closed the door to Rashford being reintegrated, although it’s believed he can never play under Amorim again.

The local lad joined United at the age of seven and has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since his breakthrough debut in 2015.

Joining has been Rashford’s No1 option since he declared in December that he was ready for a new challenge after being iced out by Amorim.

He will be the first England international to wear Barcelona colours since Gary Lineker, who played there between for three years between 1986 and 1989.

Rashford will also wear the historic No14 shirt at the Camp Nou outfit, previously worn by legends such as Johan Cruyff and Thierry Henry.

Current Bristol City midfielder Marcus McGuane joined Barca’s B Team in 2018, making one first-team friendly appearance after coming off from the bench with 13 minutes remaining in 2018.

Asked by a Spanish influencer if he would like to play alongside a few months back, Rashford said: “Yes, for sure. Everyone wants to play with the best. Hopefully... we’ll see.”

SunSport exclusively revealed that he arrived in sunny Spain on Sunday night after a nightmare by none other than Manchester City supporting rock band Oasis.

The forward completed a medical with the champions on Monday, with the aim of being able to join their pre-season tour of Japan and on Thursday.

A debut could even come as soon as Sunday morning against Vissel Kobe.

It is thought forward Luis Diaz was a priority target for Barca, but the Catalans’ advances were rejected earlier in the window.

I find the whole episode very soul-destroying

SheringhamSky Bet

Hansi Flick’s side alsoagreed personal termswith before the Spain internationalopted instead to stay at Athletic Club and sign a new contract until 2035.

Rashford will still have two years left on his United deal when this proposed loan move ends. Villa turned down their £40m option to buy.

But his career at Old Trafford has appeared to be over since Amorim claimed he would

He enjoyed his short-term loan at Villa, scoring four goals in 17 appearances for Unai Emery’s side and often pipping United target Ollie Watkins to the starting line-up.

It saw him get recalled to the England squad for Thomas Tuchel’s first two games, but he missed out on a second call-up after his season was curtailed by a hamstring injury picked up in April.

But after a summer of intense training in Marbella, Rashford - - has now fully recovered and is ready for action.

But ex-United starTeddy Sheringham weighed inon the “soul-destroying” Rashford debate before his second loan deal was confirmed.

Sheringham told Sky Bet: “I find the whole episode very soul-destroying, compared to the way I was back in the day and how I strove to get the privilege to play for such a huge football club.

“From my perspective, if you go from Manchester United to Barcelona, that’s a step that he hasn’t deserved.”

With one of the five “Bomb Squad” players sorted, Amorim is still trying to shift , Antony, and Tyrell Malacia.