The dilemma at the heart of Man United’s huge Marcus Rashford decision

A club with a long and proud tradition of homegrown players clinches their league title by beating their major rivals with a spectacular goal by Marcus Rashford . For Manchester United , it may have long seemed the dream. Although the reality is that the newly anointed champions are Barcelona , Rashford’s curling free kick setting them on their way to a Clasico win over Real Madrid.

History for Rashford, becoming the first Englishman to win LaLiga with Barca, and joining what remains a select group to triumph with anyone, alongside Laurie Cunningham, David Beckham, Kieran Trippier and Jude Bellingham. If the circumstances were different, it would surely prompt Barcelona to take up the €30m option to turn his loan into a transfer. Although, were the circumstances different, Rashford may not have got the move to Camp Nou he seemed to covet when his relationship with United broke down; the Catalan club were also interested in the costlier Luis Diaz and Nico Williams last summer.

Rashford seemed like plan C, available without an immediate transfer fee in part because of United’s inability to sell him. Marcus Rashford helped Barcelona wrap up the title in style (Reuters) He has nevertheless been a success as a high-calibre squad player, his outings split almost equally between starts and substitute appearances. A tally of 14 goals in 47 games is decent, if unexceptional.

More impressive, though, is that he also has 14 assists, giving him 28 goal contributions, an average of one every 87 minutes on the pitch. There is an argument that Rashford has been flattered by the figures and, unlike United, Barcelona have been in Europe, but he has as many goal involvements this season as Bruno Fernandes. Which, in its own way, may offer an insight into what United are missing.