Marcus Rashford Undo All Odds Against Barca’s Voyage

By : Osabuohien Imuetinyanosa

Marcus Rashford has been making waves in Catalonia with his impressive performances for Barcelona since joining the club on a season-long loan from Manchester United. The England international has notched eight goal contributions in his last seven outings, including a recent strike in the 4-1 defeat against Sevilla.

Former Barcelona player Gary Lineker praised Rashford’s introduction to life in Catalonia, saying, “I’m pleased for Marcus. I don’t think he could’ve had a much better start. I mean, admittedly, they lost this particular game, but through no fault of his. In fact, I think he was probably their best player.” Lineker also jokingly mentioned that Rashford would be eager to take penalties, stating, “It’s funny, I was at home and thinking; ‘Let Marcus take it, he’s a brilliant penalty taker’ and obviously Lewandowski has taken them and I always knew he would take it, but I had a feeling and then he hit it wide.”

Rashford’s teammates have also been impressed with his performances. After scoring twice against Newcastle United in the Champions League, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick commented, “The important thing is that he gains confidence, and scoring two goals in this stadium, in his home country, will help him. We’re helping him. But I’m not surprised. He’s an outstanding player, with great talent, as I said. His finishing is fantastic. We need a player like him.”

Rashford’s days in Barca and days in Man Utd:

– 8 goal contributions in 7 outings for Barcelona
– 2 goals and 4 assists in the Champions League
– 621 minutes played, averaging 0.3 goals and 0.7 assists per 90 minutes
– Leads Barcelona in goal contributions this season

In comparison, Rashford’s last standout season at Manchester United was the 2022-23 campaign, where he scored 30 goals and provided 9 assists across all competitions. At Barcelona, Rashford is not only scoring but also contributing significantly to the team’s attacking play.

Teammate Accolades:

– Ronald Araujo: “Marcus is spectacular. He does the same thing in training. We’re very happy to have him with us, because he has a lot of quality and will help us a lot.”
– Joan Garcia: “He’s already got us used to it in training. He has a very good shot, and I’m very happy for him because he’s working hard and he’s working well.”

Rashford’s performances have also drawn comparisons to his time at Manchester United, with some noting that he’s been tracking back more and showing a greater commitment to defensive work. Barcelona fans have praised his hustle and ability to create chances, with one fan commenting, “Impressive hustle from Rashford, commitment on and off the ball shines through. Keep it up!”

With a potential permanent transfer to Barcelona worth €30 million (£26.1 million, $35.2 million), Rashford’s future looks bright. The player himself has expressed a desire to stay at the club long-term, stating, “I want to stay here as long as possible. We will see. I just have to focus on my work and help the team as best I can.”
(SPORTSDAY).