Marcus Rashford might have missed out on playing in a World Cup final, but the Argentina and Spain result showed the ‘bigger picture’ for Manchester United fans.
The 28-year-old Manchester United forward ended his World Cup campaign with a bronze medal after England’s superb 6-4 win over France in the third-place play-off.
Marcus Rashford started at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and the England international picked up an assist against the 2018 World Cup champions.
The former Barcelona star played in one of the best matches of the tournament, but I feel the World Cup final lifted the veil on one all-important detail around him.
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Nico Williams’ World Cup final performance showed that Barcelona’s heart was never truly set on Marcus Rashford
Nico Williams came off the bench in the second half of Sunday’s final and had a transformational influence for Spain in the World Cup clash against Argentina.
I am not alone in thinking that the 24-year-old Spanish winger turned the tide of the match after a controversial winner from him was ruled out by VAR.
However, Nico Williams played a key role in Spain’s 1-0 World Cup win over Argentina after he set up Ferran Torres in extra time at the MetLife Stadium.
The Athletic Bilbao winger was a major target for Barcelona last summer before Williams committed his long-term future to his current club and signed a new deal.
I feel that the smokescreen has been lifted after the World Cup final, mainly that Barcelona’s loan deal for Marcus Rashford was intended to be a short-term solution.
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Nico Williams’ release clause and Anthony Gordon’s move showed that Marcus Rashford’s transfer was only needed for a loan
Nico Williams saw his release clause increase to around £76.3m (based on the €90m price) after a near 50 per cent rise following his new Athletic Bilbao deal in 2025.
I think that the Spain and Bilbao winger’s old asking release clause of £50m to £53m — based on his €60m tag at that time — was more than feasible for Barcelona last summer.
However, I feel a repeat of pursuing Euro 2024 winner Williams would have been futile after he inked a staggering 10-year deal that keeps him at Bilbao until 2035.
It made more effective sense for Barcelona to turn their attention to Anthony Gordon and to sign him in a deal worth more than £69.3m this summer.
Barcelona could be more efficient with the payment method of Anthony Gordon rather than paying a much more substantial fee to try and sign Williams again.
While I could see how United fans were convinced Barcelona might sign Rashford permanently, it feels like the bigger picture has emerged after the World Cup final.
I feel Man Utd were keener to tempt Barcelona into triggering Rashford’s £30.3m permanent clause, all the while the La Liga club were weighing up the ‘right’ transfer replacement for Williams.
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