Giuseppe Rossi: Everton is the Right Move for Marcus Rashford

Giuseppe Rossi thinks Everton, not Barcelona or Serie A, might be the stage where Marcus Rashford finally resets his career.

The former Manchester United and Villarreal striker, who rebuilt his own reputation after leaving Old Trafford, believes a move to Hill Dickinson Stadium would suit the 28-year-old forward as uncertainty hangs over his future.

Rashford is back at United after a loan spell with Barcelona, his next step unclear. Barca chose not to keep him, despite the England international finishing the campaign strongly in La Liga and looking increasingly comfortable in their system.

Rossi, who scored four goals in 14 United appearances after arriving from Parma in 2004 before becoming Villarreal’s all-time leading scorer, knows the feeling of having to start again. His six-year spell in Spain was interrupted by two ACL injuries, yet he still carved out a high-level career with further stops at Fiorentina and Levante before retiring in 2023.

Now working in the media, Rossi has been assessing Rashford’s crossroads.

“Marcus Rashford needs to go to another club for his own sake. I think his time as a Manchester United player has run its course.”

Rossi admitted he was surprised Barcelona walked away: “It’s very interesting that Barcelona didn’t keep him because I thought he was a pretty good player for them, and a good fit for how they play in the end.”

But his main concern is what Rashford now represents at Old Trafford.

“I don’t think he feels like a Manchester United player anymore, he doesn’t have that mentality, and you don’t want those sorts of players around your club, bringing down what you’re trying to build. It would be the best thing for everyone if they could all move on quickly this summer.”

There has been talk of a move abroad, especially after Scott McTominay’s successful reinvention in Italy. Rossi, capped 30 times by the Azzurri, isn’t convinced that’s Rashford’s path.

“Could Rashford go and reinvent himself in Italy as Scott McTominay has? It’s an interesting idea but I don’t see him thriving in Serie A. The league is too tactical. I think Rashford still fits the English way of playing best, although truthfully he did well at Barcelona.”

So where next? For Rossi, the answer lies back in the Premier League — and possibly on Merseyside.

“He needs a move to another Premier League club this summer, and it would be cool to see him at a side like Tottenham Hotspur or Everton. He needs a club where he’ll be given the chance to feel free to play his way and bring the team back some glory. He would do well in that sort of environment.”

Everton, under David Moyes, are still scanning the market for a major left-sided attacking option. CEO Angus Kinnear has confirmed the club continues to monitor Jack Grealish’s situation after his loan on Merseyside, with the Manchester City man coming off the bench in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal at the weekend.

If Grealish proves out of reach or unavailable, Rossi sees an opportunity down the East Lancs Road. A restless Rashford, searching for freedom and responsibility, and an Everton side craving star quality on the flank.

For a player who no longer “feels” like a United footballer, as Rossi puts it, a move like that would not just be a transfer. It would be a line in the sand.