Rashford’s departure from Old Trafford has been a relatively long time coming.
Manager Ruben Amorim dropped him for the Manchester derby on 15 December last year – and he has not played for United since.
Amorim later criticised Rashford for a perceived lack of effort, suggesting that he would rather give a place on the bench to his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than someone who “doesn’t give the maximum every day”.
He joined Aston Villa on loan in January, making 17 appearances and earning an England recall, but returned to Old Trafford last month with his long-term future still uncertain.
However, that uncertainty has been more about where he would go rather than whether he would stay, with Rashford one of five players who told the club they wanted to leave – and who were subsequently told to train separately from the rest of the squad.
But Rashford’s problems at Old Trafford pre-dated Amorim.
After signing a new five-year deal at the club in 2023 – following a stellar 30-goal season the campaign before – Rashford’s form dropped dramatically.
He managed just eight goals in 43 appearances in 2023/24 and was disciplined three times in 13 months by manager Erik ten Hag.
Rashford was dropped for an away trip to Wolves after turning up late for a team meeting, while he then apologised to the Dutchman for attending a pre-arranged birthday party hours after a 3-0 home defeat by Manchester City.
The forward was then dropped for an FA Cup tie against Newport after reporting ill for training after being pictured partying in nightclubs in Belfast.
Despite his prolonged and public fall from grace at Manchester United, Rashford expressed his gratitude and had “nothing bad to say” about the club.
While he alluded to them being in a “period of change”, he focused more on his “new chapter” at Barcelona and the opportunity the move presents to win trophies.
Rashford won two FA Cups, two League Cups, and the Europa League with Manchester United but is yet to win a league title or the Champions League.
“[Manchester United] is in a period of change and they have been for a while. I don’t have anything bad to say as it has been an important part not just of my career but my life, so I was grateful for the opportunity,” Rashford said, speaking to the media following his unveiling.
“I wish them all the best and hope they are successful in the future.
“I want to win the biggest trophies and I feel like Barcelona is a huge club in the football world, so it is the perfect place.
“They have a young, ambitious team and I want to add my qualities, my personality, improve the team, and help them win.
“[The Champions League] is what the club was fighting for last year and they were very close. I hope they can take the next step this year. This is a historic club and they are known for winning the biggest prizes. I am here to help the club do that. It is a dream of mine.”