Softfootball monitored carefully when Marcus Rashford told a Spanish media that he would love to play for Barcelona even while still under contract with Manchester United.
The statement was made weeks ago even before both Barcelona and Manchester United began pre-season. Although the England forward knew he was going to leave Old Trafford anyway after falling out with Reuben Amorim.
Here are his exact words when asked by a Spanish influencer if he would love to play alongside Lamine Yamal at Barcelona.
He replied:
“Yes, for sure. Everyone wants to play with the best. Hopefully… we’ll see.”
Marcus Rashford said back in June that he hoped to play alongside Lamine Yamal 👀 pic.twitter.com/tGz6uJzqvf
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 19, 2025
So, it wasn’t a huge surprise when Skysports reported that Manchester United and Barcelona have reached a deal for Rashford on a season long loan with the Catalan giants to cover all his salary. They also have the option to make the move permanent by 2026 for just €35 million.
Now that the impending distractions of having Rashford back at Old Trafford have been taken care of. It now lies in the hands of the player to convince Barcelona to sign him permanently after falling to do so with Aston Villa, where he was on loan last season.
Before some of the fans start thinking Rashford must be a bad player for him to be on loan for two consecutive seasons. Hold that thought and listen.
Marcus Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for Manchester United since his debut in 2016. His most prolific season was 2022-23, when he scored 30 times in 56 games in all competitions and was rewarded with a new five-year deal. That deal fetched him £325,000 weekly and the highest paid player at the club until Bruno Fernandez’s new improved contract matched that figure just last season.
So, Rashford’s talent wasn’t the problem but his inability to fit into Reuben Amorim’s system and function as a number 10. That brings us to why Barcelona wants him.
A little bit of solo magic on the south coast from @MarcusRashford ✨
Presenting our September Goal of the Month winner! 🏅#MUFC @OfficialPES pic.twitter.com/oWqVDHwpCD
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 4, 2020
Rashford’s machine-like speed
This move is similar to that made by Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry some years ago. When he left the North London club for Camp Nou to join the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andreas Ineista and Samuel Eto’o. It was an incredible squad.
There Henry got the feeling of winning the UEFA Champions League for the first time after missing out in 2005 when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the final. Henry also lives with the memory of scoring a hat-trick in the El Clasico. The major difference is that Henry went to Barcelona as Arsenal best player but Rashford is not for Manchester United.
But his machine-like pace would put more fear in the minds of defenders if there was not enough already coming up against the likes of Yamal, Gavi, Pedro and Robert Lewandowski.
Rashford got pace and power and he is built to run all day. No wonder he loved playing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian unlocked Rashford’s potential onto another level and he would hope to replicate that in Spain.
Hansi Flick factor
The German Coach of Barcelona is a huge fan of Rashford and he is a huge reason why Barcelona signed him this summer.
Despite Barcelona dominating possession in most of their games, Flick likes his sides to play in quick transitions. He wants them to turn every defence to attack within seconds and Rashford with his pace and power is a perfect player in that system.
Rashford and Yamal combination
It’s going to be Yamal on the right and Rashford on the left side of attack. And the forward play would be relentless.
It would not be a shock if players fake injuries to miss games against Barcelona because the potential threat level from this combination will be devastating for a lot of opponents.
Utility player and shooting ability
Barcelona mostly plays in a 4-3-3 formation and that suits Rashford perfectly. The 27-year-old can play in any of the front three positions.
That utility ability is another factor why Flick wanted him at Barcelona. And with the Englishman, Barcelona might score more goals from outside the box because he shoots effortlessly from long range especially from free kicks and also scores from close ranges too.
Softfootball has no doubt in Rashford’s ability to perform at Barcelona but adapting to how Barcelona play will be key to any success he is going to have at the Nou camp.
Rashford was stripped of his number 10 jersey by Manchester United and ironically, new signing, Matheus Cunha made his Red Devils debut today against Leeds United wearing the shirt number.
