Manchester United’s treatment of long-time forward Marcus Rashford is raising eyebrows as the club reportedly allows him to explore transfer options and has already reassigned his iconic No. 10 shirt to new signing Matheus Cunha.
The Red Devils confirmed that Cunha, who joined from Wolves for £62.5 million on June 1, will wear the No. 10 jersey that Rashford had proudly donned since 2018.
This move, paired with Rashford’s absence from pre-season training, has only intensified speculation surrounding his potential departure.Rashford was reportedly granted extended leave along with Antony, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, and Alejandro Garnacho as the players explore transfer opportunities before the summer window closes on September 1.
Cunha has already trained in United’s new kit unmistakably marked with the No. 10 indicating a symbolic shift in the club’s plans and possibly confirming that Rashford’s time at Old Trafford is nearing its end.
Rashford, who has been consistently linked with a move abroad, is said to favor a switch to FC Barcelona. However, the Spanish champions’ ongoing financial issues limit them to loan deals rather than permanent signings.Barça recently failed to secure Nico Williams due toLa Liga registration hurdles — a situation that could also impact their pursuit of Rashford.
Adding fuel to the fire, Rashford’s agent and brother,Dwaine Maynard, was seen in direct talks with Barcelona sporting director Deco last month. Reports suggest the English forward is even willing to take a significant pay cut from his current £325,000-a-week wage to facilitate the move.
In a candid interview with Spanish YouTube channelXBuyer, Rashford didn’t shy away from expressing admiration for Barcelona and their young sensation, Lamine Yamal.
“Yes, absolutely. Everyone wants to play with the best. Hopefully, one day it will happen,” he said, when asked about the possibility of joining Barça.
Rashford also drew parallels between his playing style and that of Thierry Henry, noting his growing comfort in a central attacking role, “I see myself in Henry. He was comfortable playing wide and centrally — a free player. As I’ve developed, playing as a No. 9 feels more natural.”
Though no official statement has been made, the symbolic stripping of Rashford’s shirt number may be the clearest sign yet of his looming departure. Once seen as the future face of Manchester United, Rashford’s potential exit could leave a significant gap both on the pitch and in the hearts of fans.
If the transfer toBarcelona or another club materializes, it will mark the end of an era for one of the Premier League’s most recognizable homegrown talents. More importantly, how the club handles Rashford’s exit could have lasting implications for Manchester United’s image and its connection with supporters.