Barcelona seems to be hesitating when it comes to locking in a long-term deal for Marcus Rashford, whose contract with Manchester United still has more than two years to run. A return to Old Trafford remains on the table as a possible route. You can catch plenty of highlights, read analyses, or chat with those more immersed in La Liga, but gauging Barcelona’s true satisfaction with Rashford’s loan spell since last summer isn’t straightforward.

Most of the feedback is generally positive, and it’s clear Rashford would be keen to make the move permanent – understandably so, given the club’s stature. But whether Barcelona shares the same eagerness to keep him permanently is less obvious. Coach Hansi Flick has praised Rashford as a solid option, highlighting his finishing skills and versatility, which is encouraging, but usage patterns tell another story.

For instance, Rashford made a strong start by scoring twice in his debut at St James’ Park last August, but was only a substitute for twenty minutes in his recent appearance against Newcastle. Flick’s faith is evident but cautious; Rashford has started just over half of Barcelona’s La Liga matches, four of their nine Champions League games, tallying decent numbers: five goals and four assists in Europe, and four goals and eight assists domestically.

He featured in a few other competitions too, with a goal and assist in the Copa Del Rey and a limited impact in the Supercopa. Minor injuries have cropped up, but the stats suggest Rashford has been solid without really blowing anyone away. On the upside, he hasn’t been overworked, which has Thomas Tuchel’s attention. The England manager seems likely to take him to the next World Cup, where Rashford’s relatively fresh legs could set him apart.

If he shines at the 2026 World Cup, that £26 million buy option could start to look like a bargain for Barcelona. But the club’s transfer choices often get tangled up in financial and political factors, so the uncertainty around Rashford’s future isn’t surprising.

What should be clearer, though, is that going back to Manchester United isn’t as far-fetched as some might assume. Whether Michael Carrick stays or someone new takes charge, a fresh start could be on the cards if Barcelona doesn’t make the move permanent.

It’s been more than ten years since Rashford burst onto the scene with a brace in United’s Europa League win over Midtjylland in early 2016. At 28, nearing his prime years, there’s arguably more to come. Is the relationship with United’s leadership truly beyond repair? With new management stepping in next season, things might look very different from the tough split he had before.

Maybe Barcelona is eager to keep him, envisioning him as a key starter or future leader. Or maybe they’re not convinced. If it’s the latter, Rashford and United should seriously consider hitting the reset button.

Barcelona’s season just took a hit, actually, a double one after a rough Copa del Rey semi-final with Atletico Madrid. Both Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde are now sidelined with hamstring injuries from Tuesday night’s game. And the worst part? Balde came on to replace the injured Kounde, only to end up hurting himself and heading straight to the treatment room before the match even ended at Camp Nou.

Losing both defenders in one night is a nightmare for Barca, especially since they’re out of the cup now, too.

Wednesday brought some clarity, but not much comfort. The club ran medical tests in the morning and confirmed the damage. Kounde’s out with a mid-biceps femoris injury in his left hamstring; the club won’t say exactly how long he’ll be gone. “His recovery will dictate his return to action,” the statement said. Not exactly reassuring.

Balde’s situation is a bit clearer, but still bad news. The young left-back, who brings real energy to Barca’s attack, is facing about four weeks out with an injury to his distal biceps femoris. That’s a full month on the sidelines, right when the team needs him most. Flick now has to shuffle his defence for a crucial stretch of games, both in La Liga and Europe.

Tuesday night at Camp Nou was pure chaos. Kounde lasted only 13 minutes before limping off, forcing an early shake-up. Balde came in and sparked some hope, but his night ended in the 71st minute with another forced change, with Ronald Araujo stepping in. Two reliable defenders lost in a single match leave Barca exposed at the back, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

The timing stings. Barcelona are in the thick of a packed schedule, and losing Balde’s speed and Kounde’s adaptability is a blow. Flick now faces the run-in without two of his main guys, a scenario he definitely didn’t want.

Still, life at the training ground rolls on. The rest of the squad were back on the pitch on Wednesday for recovery work. The mood was serious but determined. Players who faced Atletico hit the gym, while others like Gavi, Eric Garcia, and Marc Casado trained outside, working their way back to full fitness. Even Robert Lewandowski joined in, though with extra care after his recent facial injury.

Up next is Athletic Club in La Liga, and then Newcastle United in the Champions League. The pressure’s on. Barça has to find a way to cope without Kounde and Balde, because the title race isn’t going to wait for anybody.