Man Utd forward Marcus Rashford looked sharp for England as they won their group at the World Cup.

Manchester United fans have all thought the same thing during England’s games at the World Cup. Why did Barcelona sign Anthony Gordon over Marcus Rashford?

Gordon started England’s first two games of the tournament, but Rashford scored off the bench against Croatia and looked like the player the Three Lions had been missing when he came on against Ghana.

He earned a start in England’s final group match against Panama, and was one of the brightest attacking threats on the pitch.

Gordon should not start for England for the remainder of the tournament. It was a coin toss between the pair before the World Cup began, but Rashford has outshone the player who Barca snubbed him for.

Thomas Tuchel would have pulled his hair out watching Gordon in the opening two games. He ran down blind alleys, offered zero attacking threat and did not play crosses into the box to service Harry Kane.

Tuchel will like what he’s seen with Rashford. The 28-year-old has been direct and aggressive when he’s been on the ball. He has looked like someone with a major point to prove after missing out on his dream move.

Barcelona paid £70million to sign Gordon from Newcastle when they could have signed Rashford for £26m from United. They have almost paid three times the price for a player half as talented as Rashford.

The decision to sign Gordon over Rashford becomes even more confusing when a closer look at the numbers is taken. Gordon scored 26 goals for Newcastle across the last two seasons, but 11 of those came from the penalty spot.

It’s not difficult to do the math. Gordon has scored 15 non-penalty goals in two years, averaging just over seven per season. Rashford contributed 14 goals and 14 assists during his Barcelona loan spell last term.

The wage demands of both players must have been a significant factor because the footballing reasons don’t add up. Gordon earned around £150,000 per week at Newcastle, while Rashford’s wages have returned to £325,000-a-week by virtue of United securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Barcelona could have doubled Gordon’s salary and still pay him less than Rashford earns. For context, Rashford signed his current United contract in the summer of 2023, following an impressive 30-goal campaign.

Even when the players’ wages are considered, is that enough reason to pay £44m more to sign Gordon? Perhaps Barcelona’s stubbornness in negotiations to sign Rashford again forced their hand.

United agreed a £26m buy option when Barcelona signed Rashford on loan, but noise emerged during the campaign that claimed the La Liga giants wanted to pay a reduced fee. They wanted to haggle.

Barcelona may have got what they wanted in the past, but United’s board are aware they can no longer be taken for mugs in the transfer market, and insisted that Barca cough up £26m.

Still, it wasn’t a good look for Rashford when Barcelona paid a significantly higher fee to sign Gordon, although, to Rashford’s credit, his performances at the World Cup have flipped the situation, making Barca look daft.

The question now is what happens with Rashford. Some United fans who are strongly opposed to the idea of him returning were concerned to read Harry Maguire say he would welcome him back with open arms.

There are other supporters who would like to see Michael Carrick reintergate him to the squad. Those fans argue that if United want to strengthen their left flank, then why not reintroduce Rashford to the dressing room?

Rashford is set to report for United’s pre-season once he enjoys a break after the World Cup and United are fine with the possibility of him returning.

Carrick has played with Rashford, coached him, and briefly managed him. In April, the Old Trafford boss suggested the door was open for Rashford to return at a press conference, though those comments felt like a stock answer.

United’s bargaining power with Rashford would have been damaged if Carrick had come out swinging and said he wouldn’t return to the club, even though he’s not the kind of character who would make such a statement.

It feels like Rashford’s future has become a saga, and we’re only two weeks into the transfer window. United are relaxed about the situation and know strong performances at the World Cup can only stir up interest.