Lineker Backs Rashford to Be England's Attacking Weapon at World Cup Despite Barcelona Uncertainty

England's attacking play has been a source of concern in recent weeks. Thomas Tuchel's squad managed only a 1-1 draw with Uruguay before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Japan during the March international window, with the Three Lions struggling to create meaningful opportunities in either fixture.

Yet Gary Lineker remains bullish about one member of the attacking arsenal. The former England striker believes Marcus Rashford possesses the quality to be a game-changer when the World Cup arrives, provided the Manchester United winger can sustain the blistering form he's currently displaying.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Lineker outlined his confidence in Rashford's tournament credentials. "If he can keep this form going now, I think he's an absolute must start for England," he explained. "If he's fit in the World Cup on that left-hand side, because Marcus is in form, when he's in form and confident and happy, boy, he's hard to stop."

The endorsement arrives as Rashford continues to deliver eye-catching performances at Barcelona, where he's accumulated 11 goals and 13 assists across all competitions this season. Most recently, he found the net in a 2-1 La Liga triumph over Atletico Madrid that came on the heels of the international break.

What remains unclear is whether Rashford's club situation will be resolved before the tournament. The 27-year-old is currently at Barcelona on loan from Manchester United, with a permanent transfer clause valued at £26million included in the arrangement. However, the Catalan outfit has repeatedly attempted to renegotiate the terms—both seeking to reduce the fee and proposing an alternative structure that would essentially mirror this season's loan-plus-option setup.

Manchester United has stood firm in rejecting these counteroffers, insisting they will sell Rashford for the originally agreed sum come summer. Should Barcelona decline to activate the purchase option at that price, the club is prepared to explore alternatives elsewhere.

The timing adds an intriguing dimension. With the transfer window opening during the World Cup itself, there's a scenario in which Rashford could be playing for England with one eye on securing his next move—potentially using the tournament as a shop window to attract other suitors if Barcelona walks away. For Tuchel, such circumstances could prove beneficial, as a player motivated to perform at the highest level might be precisely what England needs to mount a serious challenge.