Barca's stance on Rashford as he DROPPED by Flick for reporting late for meeting

Barcelona chiefs insist they are 'happy' with Marcus Rashford and open to signing him on a permanent deal despite the Englishman being dropped for disciplinary reasons last week.

Rashford, who joined the Catalan giants on a season-long loan deal from Manchester United, has enjoyed a fruitful start to life in Spain with two goals and four assists already to his name.

His maiden Barca goals came against Newcastle United at St James' Park two weeks ago on a night where he well and truly announced himself to his new supporters.

However just a matter of days later the 27-year-old was dropped from Hansi Flick's squad for a clash against Getafe after turning up late to a team meeting, Daily Mail Sport understands.

The disciplinary issue brought Rashford a wave of criticism from ex-professionals including Alan Shearer, who warned that he could lose his place at Barca for such behaviour.

But Deco, the club's sporting director, has now revealed that he is 'happy' with Rashford's progress since moving to LaLiga.

'He's on a simple loan, there's no penalty, and if we want him, we have an option to buy,' the Portuguese legend told Mundo Deportivo.

'It's too early to talk about decisions for next season, but what matters is that we're happy with him. What we thought he could bring to us, he's bringing.

'He's a very high-level player. He exploded very early, then he had great seasons at United, then he had years of more complicated management with changes of coaches, and perhaps he struggled too because they demanded a lot of things from him there. But we're happy with him - that's the most important thing.

'These aren't decisions for now. Now it's time to focus on the games to come. A decision will be made, but that's not being discussed right now. There's a contract between the clubs but it has to be discussed.'

Barcelona opted to make a move for Rashford after missing out on Luis Diaz, who eventually joined Bayern Munich from Liverpool in a deal worth £65m.

Deco also opened up on the club's failed move for the Colombian, telling the publication: 'With Díaz, Liverpool were pretty tough from the first minute, refusing to sell him, and it's even more complicated that way, like if they came to us and we didn't want to put a player on the market. Luis's move ended up being impossible.'

A return to Man United for Rashford seems highly unlikely under current boss Ruben Amorim.

The Carrington academy product was exiled from the United squad by Amorim back in December after failing to perform in training ahead of a Manchester derby.

He later went on loan to Aston Villa before of course joining Barcelona in the summer, where he now looks to be getting back to his best.

Back in Manchester however, pressure is building on Amorim after a dire start to the season for the Red Devils.

They've lost three of their opening six Premier League games - the latest coming on the weekend at Brentford - and have already bombed out of the Carabao Cup.

Amorim still has the backing of senior figures at the club, Daily Mail Sport understands, but if results don't improve that may well change.

United host Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday in what already feels like a must-win game for Amorim.