Neither goals nor price, Marcus Rashford moves away from Barça for another reason, he already knows it

Marcus Rashford's performance is being evaluated with extreme rigor by Barça's leadership since the start of his loan. The Catalan club agreed with Manchester United on a €35 million buyout clause that can be activated at the end of the season. That amount will only be executed if he shows total adaptation to the system and a consistently competitive level.

Normally, Marcus Rashford would return to Old Trafford when the current season ends. However, his offensive performance has opened a small margin of doubt within the club. In fewer than 20 matches, he has scored 6 goals and provided 9 assists, numbers that point to a notable impact.

The numbers don't hide Flick's concern with Marcus Rashford

Despite those records, the internal feeling at Barça is very different from what his statistics project. Hansi Flick values his ability to generate dangerous actions, but he detects a structural problem that conditions his possible continuity. The pressing after losing possession, key in his model, is not being executed by Marcus Rashford with the intensity demanded by the German coach.

Flick believes that Marcus Rashford's defensive involvement falls short for a project that prioritizes immediate ball recovery. That lack of aggression without possession creates imbalances that affect the collective. So, he has already conveyed to Deco that this deficit weighs more than his numbers.

Barça seeks a different profile than Marcus Rashford to complement Raphinha

The team needs a backup winger for Raphinha who guarantees defensive commitment and immediate adaptation to Barça's style. The idea is to find a player with constant sacrifice and the ability to keep the high press. The board understands that Marcus Rashford doesn't fit that specific profile.

For that reason, the Catalan club is already exploring other alternatives for next season. Among the options, Antonio Nusa and Said El Mala stand out, young footballers with room for growth and superior defensive involvement. Both fit better with what Hansi Flick demands for the immediate future.

Barça recognizes Marcus Rashford's talent and offensive ability, but believes it's not enough to trigger a multi-million euro operation. In a system based on constant pressing and intensity without the ball, the Englishman starts at a disadvantage compared to other profiles. His problem isn't goals or the price, but the lack of adaptation to Flick's model.