Marcus Rashford has signalled that he wants to extend his successful spell at Barcelona and has revealed the three team-mates who have made life so enjoyable for him since joining the Catalan giants. Rashford made the difficult decision to forge a career away from his boyhood club Manchester United earlier this summer, but it’s a decision he certainly doesn’t regret.
How life turned sour for Rashford
Rashford's final months at Man Utd were defined by his struggles with form, public disputes, and eventual departure on loan. He remains under contract at Old Trafford until 2028. Following a career-best 30-goal season in 2022-23, his output dramatically declined amid issues with his lifestyle and strained relationship with then-manager Erik ten Hag. After Ruben Amorim froze him out a loan move to Aston Villa very briefly revitalised his form, but his inconsistencies continued. This led to a subsequent loan move to Barcelona in July this year, which has proven to be a massive success.
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Rashford has made an excellent start to his loan spell at Barcelona, which has breathed new life into his once-floundering career. He’s bagged five goals and six assists in 12 appearances across all competitions, the England international has thrived under coach Hansi Flick. His performances have been a key factor in the Catalan giants’ positive start to the season, and he has expressed his strong desire to make the loan move permanent.
Enjoying a new life in Spain
When asked if he would like to stay at the Catalan giants, Rashford told Barcelona's YouTube channel: "I’m really enjoying my time in Spain. The weather is the best part. It’s a very big change. I’m learning every day, I’m really enjoying it. I hope to be here for a long time. I get along really well with Roony (Bardghji), as well as Jules (Kounde) and Frenkie (De Jong). It’s a team where we all blend together. We’re united. The team is fantastic. I just have to be in the right position. I’ll keep trying to do this. We have to keep going like this to be our best. We have a lot more to do this season."
He added: "I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game so to play here is an honour. I just believe that things happen when they’re supposed to happen. It’s not the first time I spoke with Barcelona about potentially coming here, but for whatever reasons it didn’t happen in the past, and now is my opportunity to make it happen. I feel like there’s no time like the present now.
"People forget this, but 23 years of my life was with Manchester United. So sometimes you just need a change. I think maybe this is the case with me and yeah, I’m enjoying everything. I don’t feel there is much change in me, I just feel it’s a new environment and culture and one I looked forward to coming here. It’s just about me adapting and fitting in as well as possible. I’m so hungry to keep improving."
AFPLanguage no barrier to progress
On learning Spanish, Rashford said: "I have watched Barcelona so many times especially in the recent years and I always felt if I was to move this team would be the perfect fit for move. I know it’s a big change but it doesn’t feel so big. I think I’ve come here and fit in well with the team and even now I don’t speak the language fully so it’s something I’m still trying to learn and will also help the process of fitting in."
