Paul Scholes has told Marcus Rashford that a return to Manchester United should not happen, while also warning the winger he would only ever be a squad player at Barcelona. The 28-year-old's season-long loan at the La Liga champions is set to end this month, with the Spanish club reportedly unwilling to pay the £26million fee to make the move permanent.
Rashford has contributed 13 goals and 13 assists in 45 games across all competitions for Barcelona, who are 11 points clear at the top of La Liga. However, he has started only 15 league matches this season and just two of the last nine, struggling to secure a regular place under manager Hansi Flick.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes said: 'At Barcelona, he only ever will be back-up to Raphinha and Yamal. It's down to the lad, does he want to go to maybe a Villa or that type of club where he'll probably play every week.' Former United teammate Nicky Butt agreed, adding that Rashford's lack of starts suggests he will move elsewhere this summer.
Butt said: 'Marcus needs to play every single week. We've known him from a young age, he needs confidence, an arm around him and then you'll have an unbelievable talent.' The ex-midfielder noted that leaving United was a difficult break for the academy graduate, but that he now must find a club where he will be a regular starter.
Rashford still has two years left on his £325,000-a-week contract at United, who are reportedly keen to sell. The forward has expressed a desire to stay at Barcelona, but the Spanish side are said to prefer negotiating a second loan rather than a permanent transfer.
