Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has been closely observing Marcus Rashford since the striker made his debut as a teenager for Manchester United. When the opportunity arose to sign the England forward on loan this past summer, Flick conveyed a clear message to sporting director Deco: “We need to make this happen. Marcus is an exceptional player, precisely what we were looking for.”
The initial plan was to gradually integrate Rashford into the squad, allowing him time to adjust to life in a new country and to familiarize himself with Flick’s system. However, injuries among the forwards have accelerated his involvement, pushing him into a key role for the Spanish champions.
Having played in all 11 matches across competitions, Rashford is one of only four players to maintain a presence in every game this season; the others are Pedri, Eric García, and Jules Koundé. Leading the team with three goals and four assists, he is expected to play a vital role as Barça navigates a crucial week ahead.
Barça will face Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, seeking a victory to recover from their recent loss to Paris Saint-Germain; shortly after, Rashford will participate in his first El Clásico as Barça travels to face Real Madrid, trailing two points behind the LaLiga leaders.
ESPN has spoken with individuals connected to Barça’s first team and Rashford about how his transfer to Catalonia appears to have reinvigorated his career thus far.
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Rashford’s Journey to Barcelona
Barcelona has had scouting reports on Rashford for years, but sources indicate that groundwork for his loan from United began about a year ago, when initial discussions started between the club and the player’s agent, his brother Dwaine Maynard.
Though talks initially focused on a January transfer, financial constraints linked to the registration of Dani Olmo prevented that from materializing. Subsequently, Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan after being sidelined by United’s new coach Ruben Amorim.
Barcelona’s interest persisted, and by summer, other alternatives emerged. Deco showed interest in bringing in Liverpool‘s Luis Díaz, who opted to move to Bayern Munich, while they also pursued Athletic Club‘s Nico Williams, who eventually extended his contract in Bilbao.
Sources highlight two primary factors that brought Barcelona back to Rashford. Firstly, despite his substantial salary — even after a 15% pay cut from United — he represented the most financially feasible option. Secondly, Flick pushed convincingly for the club to secure his signing.
Securing the deal, however, was a challenge. Spanish agents Arturo Canales and Fernando Solanas were brought in as facilitators, and a law firm, notably associated with United’s rivals Manchester City, was enlisted to finalize the various agreement details.
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Nicol: Rashford needs to take more responsibility
Steve Nicol and Craig Burley reflect on Rashford’s statements about his experience at Manchester United.
Rashford demonstrated patience during this process, and club officials were impressed by his commitment to playing for Barcelona, echoing Johan Cruyff’s famous quote: “If you have second thoughts about playing for Barcelona, you are no longer of service to us.”
Sources affirm that Rashford was not among those hesitant about the move. While some may think his transfer was unwarranted following tumultuous periods at United, the consensus is that pursuing a different opportunity would have been less stressful and more lucrative.
In an interview with xBuyer, a Spanish YouTube channel not widely recognized in English-speaking markets, he expressed a strong desire to join Barça and praised breakout star Lamine Yamal, signaling a modern-day call to action.
With Flick eager to finalize the deal during preseason, support from Canales and Solanas, along with United’s willingness to accept a loan deal with an option for a €30 million permanent transfer, ultimately allowed Rashford to become the first English player since Gary Lineker to join the Barça men’s first team.
Rashford Thrives in Spain
Rashford has quickly adapted to life in Spain, settling in a residential area in the mountains near Castelldefels. He enjoys beach access within a 10-minute drive and has been seen playing pàdel and fishing in his spare time.
However, it’s at Barça’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training facility, located about 20 minutes up the C-32, where he feels most at home. Initially surprised by his humility and quiet demeanor, teammates soon welcomed him into the squad.
Although Rashford is learning Spanish, the presence of several English-speaking players in the team, including Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, and Andreas Christensen, as well as English-speaking instructions from the coaching staff, have eased his transition.
As he approaches his 28th birthday, Rashford has bonded well with seasoned players like Lewandowski and goalkeepers, while also connecting with the younger talent led by Yamal. He is picking up some local phrases to join in on training ground banter.
He disclosed to the Diario Sport that one of the first words he learned, chuche, means candy or sweet. His playful banter involves calling out “Soy tu papa, chuche,” or “I’m your daddy, sweetie,” when Yamal leaves teammates in the dust during training.
Defender Ronald Araújo praised Rashford’s skill, stating, “He’s a phenomenal player. He’s happy, and we’ve discussed the importance of confidence and happiness for players. His integration into the team has been seamless. You can see his quality, speed, and explosiveness on the pitch. We’re thrilled to have him with us.”
Injuries have expedited the opportunity for Rashford to showcase his talents. With players like Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, Fermín López, and Olmo all sidelined at various points this season, Rashford, once expected to be a secondary choice, has become Barça’s most consistently available forward.
Rashford primarily plays on the left wing but has also been deployed centrally, leading to speculation about his long-term role at the club. If he wishes to remain beyond this season, he might contend for a left-wing position against Raphinha instead of competing with 37-year-old Lewandowski, whose contract expires next summer.
While Rashford initially appeared tactically uncertain, he is adapting quickly. He has embraced Flick’s straightforward coaching style, which avoids overwhelming players with unnecessary information. Flick encourages Rashford to take defenders on directly. This season, he averages 5.97 take-ons per 90 minutes, a figure Flick hopes to see increased; it surpasses Raphinha’s 3.61 but remains below Yamal’s impressive 13.22.
Rashford’s standout performance came in Newcastle, where he netted two memorable goals in the 2-1 Champions League victory. However, there is concern he could finish with more goals, as his only other was registered in a 4-1 loss to Sevilla.
He has faced near misses as well, being denied by superb saves and the post. The coaching staff has expressed a desire for improvement in his goal-scoring. In a recent match against Girona, he rattled the bar with a free kick; it marked one of three set-piece efforts he took, signaling the trust placed in him by the staff, which has been recognized by teammates.
He has also taken more corners than any other player in the squad this season, totaling 37, double Raphinha’s 13, as Flick relies on his ability to create opportunities. Rashford has generated eight chances from set pieces thus far.
Though his skill on the ball remains a training focus, Flick views Rashford’s performance against Newcastle as just the “first step.” The next phase will involve enhancing his off-the-ball play.
“Our style centers on high intensity, and I want to see that from him as well,” Flick stated.
In terms of off-the-ball work, Rashford’s metrics reflect progress compared to his time at United and Villa. Last season, he averaged 18.9 sprints per game in the Premier League, while this season, the figure has surged to 34.9 in LaLiga. He now covers over 630 meters at speeds exceeding 21km/h per 90 minutes, a significant increase from the 122 meters recorded last year.
However, he still trails Raphinha, whom Flick considers the benchmark for the team’s pressing approach. Raphinha averages 45.3 sprints per game and covers over 810 meters at similar speeds. Torres and Yamal also outpace Rashford in this regard.
It’s essential to maintain perspective regarding these statistics. Barça currently struggles to replicate the pressing vigor exhibited in Flick’s debut season. Raphinha’s previous figures were considerably higher, while Torres and Yamal’s stats have also dipped.
The data suggests a team still striving to find its best form. With injuries causing weekly personnel changes, evaluating Rashford’s fit can be challenging, but the early signs are encouraging. He appears dangerous on the ball and has made strides off it, though there is still work to be done.
“Overall, it’s been positive and seamless,” Rashford shared with ESPN. “I believe we’ll continue to improve. My focus remains on the pitch, enhancing my connection with the team and elevating my individual contributions.
“We must demonstrate intensity moving forward and show the coach that we are a team intent on winning and achieving success. I aspire to win as much as possible, hopefully lifting trophies and adding to the club’s storied history.”
What’s Next for Rashford? Will He Remain Beyond This Summer?
Rashford’s future at Barça will be determined not only in upcoming matches against Olympiacos and Madrid but throughout the season. His contributions will be critical as the club aims for major honors in the spring. Last season, they secured LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercopa, reaching the Champions League semifinals — a benchmark they aspire to exceed this year.
Post-season, a decision regarding Rashford’s future will be made. However, the complexities surrounding Barcelona’s management during an upcoming presidential election will play a crucial role. Current president Joan Laporta is expected to seek reelection and is favored to maintain his position, yet he will face challengers who often campaign on promises of high-profile signings, potentially promising extravagant expenditures.
If prospective candidates are pledging €100 million for another player, the €30 million required to secure Rashford may be complicated in light of Barcelona’s delicate financial standings with LaLiga.
Nevertheless, some insiders at the club already consider the €30 million option for Rashford a “no-brainer.” Ultimately, it will hinge on performances, financial viability, election outcomes, and other factors, such as the future sporting director and coach — there’s no certainty in football. The positive aspect is that if Barça decides against signing Rashford, they won’t face financial penalties, contrary to the situation with Chelsea regarding Jadon Sancho.
“There’s no penalty clause in the loan agreement if we don’t opt to sign him,” Deco confirmed earlier this year. “We hold the option to make the deal permanent if we choose to. Discussions about next season’s decisions are premature; the priority is ensuring we’re satisfied with his performance.”