Marcus Rashford’s contract at Manchester United reportedly contains a £40 million release clause that any club can activate, with two notable exceptions: Manchester City and Liverpool.

The clause, which surfaced in reports on June 16, 2026, would effectively block United’s two fiercest rivals from acquiring the 28-year-old forward at that price. However, an editor’s comment on CryptoBriefing describes the clause as unverified, and the reporting around it lacks substantial verification, raising concerns about its authenticity.

A winding road back to Old Trafford

Rashford finds himself back at Manchester United after two consecutive loan moves that failed to produce permanent deals. Neither club wanted to keep him.

The first loan sent him to Aston Villa in February 2025, where Villa held a £40 million option to buy. They chose not to exercise it.

The second stint took him to Barcelona for the 2025-26 season, with a buy option set at roughly €30 million, or about £26 million. That option expired on June 15, 2026, without Barcelona pulling the trigger either.

His struggles trace back to falling out of favor under Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, which precipitated the loan departures in the first place.

Why the rival exclusion matters

The £40 million figure itself is worth examining in context. Rashford renewed his Manchester United contract in 2023, at a time when his market value was considerably higher.

For Manchester City and Liverpool, the exclusion means they would need to negotiate directly with United for a transfer fee, presumably at a premium well above £40 million, or simply look elsewhere. Neither club has shown confirmed interest in Rashford as of June 16, 2026.

No confirmed buyer interest in Rashford has been reported from any club as of June 16, 2026.