MARCUS RASHFORD could find himself in a position where he still has to make a shock return to Manchester United in the summer.
The forward completed a dream move to LaLiga giants Barcelona during the transfer window.
And the initial loan deal includes a £26million option for him to become a permanent member of the Nou Camp squad.
But Rashford’s future has already been thrown into doubt a matter of months after he walked away from Old Trafford.
It is becoming increasingly likely that he will have to head back to Manchester United at the end of the season.
The Athletic report that the most probable scenario is that Rashford will leave Barcelona at the end of the loan agreement.
That would result in the England man having to return to the Red Devils and either find a different landing spot or win over head coach Ruben Amorim.
It would be a serious blow for Rashford as he has already publicly confirmed that he wants to stay at Barcelona beyond the temporary spell.
The Old Trafford academy graduate has made a positive start to the season – scoring six goals and notching a further nine assists in 18 appearances.
But he is still not being viewed by boss Hansi Flick as an automatic starter at Barcelona.
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And that has led to LaLiga’s reigning champions seriously considering ignoring the option to buy Rashford.
Barcelona could instead enter the market for a replacement ahead of next term.
Rashford, 28, spent the second half of last season on loan with Aston Villa after being frozen out by Amorim.
But Unai Emery chose not to take advantage of the chance to keep him for £40m.
That resulted in Rashford having to return to Manchester United until Barcelona came calling.
He made 426 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring 138 goals along the way, before he was cast aside by Amorim.