Barcelona release Marcus Rashford statement in blow for Man Utd loanee | Football | Sport

Marcus Rashford has been declared unfit for Barcelona’s cup tie with Atletico Madrid due to an injury. The striker, currently on loan at the Spanish heavyweights from Manchester United, is experiencing discomfort in his left knee following a knock in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Mallorca.

In a statement issued by the La Liga leaders on Wednesday, it was confirmed that the England ace will be absent from the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie on Thursday against Diego Simeone’s team. The statement read: “The first team player Marcus Rashford has pain in his left knee after taking a blow in the game against Mallorca on Saturday at Spotify Camp Nou. The player will miss Thursday’s Copa del Rey game against Atletico Madrid.

“Without Marcus Rashford and Raphinha still, the FC Barcelona first team squad trained on Wednesday at the Ciutat Esportiva with all the available players for the final session before the squad heads off to Madrid for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid, kick off 9pm CET. Hansi Flick will name his squad for the game in the Riyadh Air Metropolitano before departure.”

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The 28-year-old’s unavailability represents a significant setback considering he’s contributed 23 goals and assists combined in all competitions for the Catalan club this campaign. It’s been a productive season for Rashford, who has already expressed his wish to stay at Barcelona beyond his season-long loan spell.

Reports indicated that Barcelona presented United with two options to secure Rashford: purchasing the winger for less than his £26million buy-out clause or extending his loan for another year with a mandatory purchase obligation in 2027.

Nevertheless, according to Spanish outlet Sport, the Spanish club have opted to buy Rashford permanently, but will only abandon that strategy should he sustain a serious injury.

Rashford has been an almost constant presence for Barcelona this term, having missed just one match due to illness across all competitions. The winger was merely three months into his Spanish career when questioned about the prospect of making his move permanent.

He replied: “Oh yeah, for sure. I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game so to play here is an honour.

“I just believe that things happen when they’re supposed to happen. It’s not the first time I spoke with Barcelona about potentially coming here, but for whatever reasons it didn’t happen in the past, and now is my opportunity to make it happen. I feel like there’s no time like the present now.”

If Rashford were to return to Manchester this summer, he would do so without a squad number as Matheus Cunha claimed his ’10’ shirt following his £62.5million transfer from Wolves last year.