Rashford rewrites his fate at Barcelona

Barcelona have had an impressive attack in 2024/25, with 102 goals in La Liga and 43 in the Champions League - numbers that show their attacking prowess remains among the best in Europe.

What can Rashford bring to Barcelona?

However, Hansi Flick has not hidden his determination to improve the left winger position - a piece that has not really been stable since Neymar left Camp Nou in 2017. In that context, Marcus Rashford - who has just experienced a tumultuous year at Manchester United - has become an interesting but also promising gamble for Barca.

What can Rashford bring to Barcelona?

Despite being pushed out of the Old Trafford plans, Rashford still possesses the qualities that Barcelona need: explosive pace, the ability to break through from the left, and the versatility to play as a centre-forward or a “false 9”. At 27, Rashford is entering the prime of his career. His 138 goals in 426 games for United and 17 goals in 62 games for England are clear evidence of his experience at the top level.

In the 2022/23 season, when he reached the peak of his career, Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions, including 17 in the Premier League. He also achieved an average chance conversion rate of 0.42 goals/game, a performance that is enough to compete with any attacking star in La Liga. With Barca, where Robert Lewandowski will turn 37 and cannot play continuously, Rashford can play a rotating role in the attack and even take on the position of center forward when needed.

Not only is Rashford a goalscorer, he also excels with his off-the-ball movement and high-speed pressing - elements that fit Hansi Flick's philosophy of controlling, high pressing. If he regains his confidence and inspiration, Rashford could add the spark that Barca have lacked since Neymar left, while also providing direct competition to Raphinha and Ferran Torres on the left flank.

Rashford had to go to Aston Villa on loan.

Rashford’s journey at Man United has been a sad one. Coming from the Carrington academy, once considered the “bright gem” of the team, he has now become the biggest face in Ruben Amorim’s “abandoned group”.

Since December 2024, Rashford has not played in any MU matches. Amorim not only left him out of the Manchester derby but also publicly criticized the 27-year-old player's lack of enthusiasm. "I would rather have a 63-year-old goalkeeper coach on the bench than Rashford not giving his all," Amorim once sarcastically said.

His loan spell at Aston Villa has helped Rashford regain some of his confidence, with 17 appearances and two goals in the Premier League. While that’s not an impressive tally, he’s still proven enough to earn a recall to the England squad. The biggest problem isn’t skill or fitness, but mentality and motivation – things Rashford had lost at Old Trafford.

Why did Barca choose Rashford?

Barcelona have previously targeted Nico Williams and Luis Diaz but both failed. Given their tight finances, Rashford's loan with an option to buy is a smart move. It allows Barca to assess Rashford's form in a new environment before making a long-term decision, similar to what Chelsea did with Jadon Sancho.

Rashford has the chance to do it all again at Barcelona.

Hansi Flick knows that the team needs more speed and variation on the left wing, where Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo have never provided a sense of security. Rashford, if integrated well, can completely create a formidable attacking quartet: Yamal - Lewandowski - Raphinha - Rashford. This is the scenario that many Barca fans expect to bring a balance between experience, youth and speed.

There’s no denying that Rashford’s form from 2023/24 is a big question mark. He hasn’t hit 20 goals a season since Erik ten Hag. However, at 27, he still has the chance to become the best version of himself. Barca know this is a “goal or no” deal, but the risk is significantly reduced by only loaning Rashford before making a decision.

In La Liga, with a possession-based style of play, Rashford can make better use of space thanks to his speed and one-touch finishing ability. If he finds the inspiration he had in the 2022/23 season, Rashford can contribute 15-20 goals per season, while helping Barca rotate an aging Lewandowski appropriately.

For Rashford, this is not just a transfer, but a chance to rebuild his career. At Old Trafford, he was stereotyped as a star who had lost his form and the trust of his coach. But at Camp Nou, in a team that attacks freely and with great speed, Rashford can be reborn, even explode.

If Barca can rekindle Rashford’s peak form, £40m next summer will be a real bargain. A motivated Rashford, alongside Lamine Yamal – Europe’s most promising young talent – would be a completely different picture. And who knows, the Rashford story could continue not with regrets in Manchester, but with a glorious journey at Camp Nou.

Source: https://znews.vn/rashford-viet-lai-so-phan-o-barcelona-post1570123.html