Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has expressed his surprise at Barcelona’s decision not to extend Marcus Rashford’s stay in Spain, insisting that the forward has done exceptionally well during his time at the Camp Nou.
Former Chelsea and Leeds United forward Hasselbaink highlighted Rashford’s raw pace, physical power and tactical intelligence as traits that make him an elite asset when highly motivated.
He pointed to England star Rashford’s immediate impact off the bench against Croatia in their 4-2 World Cup 2026 win – where he executed a trademark, accurate inside-foot finish after cutting inside – as proof of his clinical ability at the highest level.
Former England coach Hasselbaink expects plenty of top-tier clubs to vie for Rashford’s signature this summer, but he hopes that Manchester United manager Michael Carrick can open a dialogue to bring the academy graduate back to Old Trafford.
However, Hasselbaink warned that both parties will need to compromise on financial expectations to clear the significant wage hurdles blocking a potential homecoming.
A little bit surprised
During an exclusive conversation with 10bet, Hasselbaink said of Rashford: “I’m a little bit surprised that Barcelona didn’t sign him.
“I don’t fully understand it because I think he’s done really, really well over there.
“Marcus Rashford starting with a clean slate and feeling hungry is a hell of a player.
“You look at how he came on against Croatia [in England’s 4-2 win] and took that goal – his inside-foot finishing when he cuts in is so hard, so accurate and so good.
“He’s got the raw pace, he’s got the power and he’s got the football intelligence.
“So I’m a little bit surprised they didn’t make it permanent, but I definitely think there will be plenty of top clubs looking to take him.”
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Back into the mix
Hasselbaink continued: “I actually hope that Michael Carrick can get some kind of dialogue going with him and bring him back into the mix at Manchester United.
“The only question is: is there just too much water under the bridge there?”
Rashford came on as a late sub in the 0-0 draw with Ghana on Tuesday night, with Anthony Gordon currently ahead of him in the pecking order on the left flank.
Wages the main issue
While he hopes Rashford gets more chances to impress England manager Thomas Tuchel, Hasselbaink added: “I don’t think he needs a great World Cup for Carrick to know what kind of player he is. Carrick knows exactly what he can do.
“I think it’s more that wages are going to be the main issue.
“Everyone might have to put a bit of water in their wine to make it work.
“Marcus might need to drop his demands a bit, the club needs to put up a viable package… everyone just needs to come together and work on it if they want it to happen.”
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