Former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker expects Marcus Rashford to make a valuable contribution in Catalonia as he closes in on a loan-to-buy move from Manchester United.

Rashford is reportedly close to joining Hansi Flick's LaLiga champions on an initial season-long loan deal, which could be made permanent for €30m (£26m).

The forward has been with United since the age of seven and has made 426 first-team appearances, scoring 138 goals.

But Rashford has struggled for form since netting 30 goals in all competitions in 2022-23, when United finished third in the Premier League and won the EFL Cup.

Rashford only scored eight goals in 43 matches in 2023-24, and while he found the net 11 times in 2024-25, four of those strikes came during a loan spell with Aston Villa.

He has also been criticised for his approach to training, with United boss Amorim memorably saying last season that he would rather select his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vita, over Rashford.

However, Lineker – who won the European Cup Winners' Cup and the Copa del Rey with Barca between 1986 and 1989 – believes the 27-year-old will prove a valuable option for Flick.  

"He will do great. He seems to be in the right frame of mind," Lineker told Sky Sports. "I think this is a great challenge. 

"They have got brilliant players. They are a tough team. But there are so many games they are playing."

"They have got a stable front three, in Raphinha, Lewandowski and Yamal, but they can't keep playing the three players every game.

"And Lewandowski is past his best nearly now – he is remarkable for what he is achieving at this age. I think this is a good signing for Barcelona, and if Marcus can rediscover his best."

Rashford was one of five players exiled from United's first-team squad after requesting a transfer, with Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia yet to find suitors.

Antony has previously thrived away from Old Trafford, having managed 14 goal involvements in 26 games on loan at Real Betis in the second half of last season – only three fewer than he has managed in 96 outings for the Red Devils.

Lineker says the Brazilian is not the only player to improve after leaving United, adding: "Let's look at the players who have left Manchester United. They have done unbelievably well, everywhere. 

"There is something wrong at Manchester United. The players who have got away from there have generally succeeded.

"At Villa, he [Rashford] was terrific. And he can do the same sort of thing at Barcelona. I hope so."