Marcus Rashford is flourishing at Barcelona following his departure from Manchester United, where he had fallen out of contention under manager Ruben Amorim. The striker’s future looked bleak when Amorim suggested he would prefer selecting his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach due to what he perceived as insufficient commitment. After promising performances during a loan spell at Aston Villa in the latter half of last season, the England star has made a strong impression in Spain since his summer loan switch.
He has netted five goals and provided seven assists across 13 matches in all competitions – though he could not prevent Barcelona’s defeat to bitter rivals Real Madrid on Sunday. However, Rashford’s dedication has remained unwavering, even during a brief visit to Manchester this week. Posting on Instagram, he shared multiple clips of himself training at The Performance Space gym in Salford.
The striker wrote alongside the footage: “Marginal gains 48 hours back home.”
Meanwhile, in a recent conversation with Barcelona’s official YouTube channel, Rashford disclosed his contentment with life in Spain.
He said: “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 now. 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 positions. 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’ve 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.”