Marcus Rashford's future at Barcelona is 'uncertain' and could hinge on improvements being made to the defensive side of his game, according to Spanish reports.
The United academy graduate was deemed surplus to requirements by Ruben Amorim and joined the LaLiga giants on a 12-month loan this July, with an option to make the deal permanent for around £26million.
He has bagged an impressive seven goals and 11 assists in 24 appearances for Hansi Flick's side, who sit four points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the league, and insists he is happy in Catalonia.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Rashford still needs to convince staff within the club that his defence and pressing are at the level required before any long-term deal is sanctioned.
Sources within the club told the Spanish outlet that the 28-year-old has received largely positive feedback during his spell at the Camp Nou, though Barcelona may look to negotiate a reduced fee should they decide to pursue him permanently.
Barcelona are understood to be considering Rashford's future alongside that of the prolific Robert Lewandowski, whose contract is up in the summer, as well as former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen.
Lewandowski has been linked with moves to the MLS, Saudi Pro League and the Turkish Super Lig. But it is reported that the 37-year-old striker - who has 109 goals in 165 apperances for Barca - may not decide his future until the end of the season.
Christensen, meanwhile, has suffered numerous injuries during his time at the Camp Nou, and is anticipated to leave when his contract runs out.
Barcelona remain firmly in contention to win all competitions they entered this season, with Flick eyeing more success after a domestic treble in the 2024-25 campaign. They also reached the Champions League semi-finals last season.
And Rashford told Spanish outlet Sport that he wishes to be part of the club's future plans to win more trophies in an interview last month.
'Of course this is what I want,' he said. 'But it's not the reason why I'm pushing and working hard.
'The reason why is because I want to win. Barcelona is a fantastic club. A club that is known for winning, and it's this type of pressure – I want to say pressure but it's not a bad type of pressure.
'It's a pressure that you look forward to and a pressure that I want to have whilst I'm playing football. If I'm at a club that doesn't demand these things then it's more difficult for me to be motivated. It's a fantastic environment for me to continue my football journey.'
He added: 'From the minute that I arrived I felt welcome. For me, the reason why I'm here is to help the team. I'm here to help them win trophies.
'Last year they had a fantastic season but – like in life and in football – things move on quickly so we have to repeat the season that we had last season.
'I'm fully focused on this and the staff, the players know that I'm focused on this so it's really good.'
Rashford broke through from United's academy into the first team under Louis van Gaal in 2016, and the Wythenshawe native was one of the club's brightest prospects for the future. But a turbulent period at United – including witnessing six different managers in charge – led to inconsistent performances in his later seasons.
After netting 30 times in Erik ten Hag's debut season, he struggled to maintain his form and the arrival of Amorim marked the beginning of the end for the England international's time at Old Trafford.
He joined Aston Villa less than three months after the arrival of the Portuguese boss, who said he could not get Rashford to buy into his ideas.
'What I say is I couldn't put Marcus to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,' Amorim said at the time.
'And sometimes you have one player who is really good with one coach and the same player with another coach is different. I just wish the best to Rashford.'
