The latest Manchester United news as Louis Saha offers his view on Marcus Rashford's slow start at Barcelona
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford in action for Barcelona in La Liga(Image: Getty Images)
Louis Saha claims the speculation surrounding Marcus Rashford's start to life at Barcelona is 'extremely damaging' following his Manchester United exit.
The 27-year-old, who left Old Trafford on loan in the summer, is keen to reignite his career following a brief loan spell at Aston Villa last season. In Catalonia, he endured a slow start, failing to score or assist in his first three La Liga matches, sparking rumours of a possible return to Manchester in the New Year.
Speaking to Flashscore, who offer the latest bookmaker offers, Saha suggested it could be damaging for the player, who is determined to prove his critics wrong. "It would be extremely damaging for Marcus Rashford if Barcelona ended his loan," he said.
"Even the talks, the rumours are really bad already. The thing is that we know that he's back in the England squad, he has appreciation from people who know football and understand that there is a big World Cup coming soon. So I wish him the best. That's for sure that he needs to play, maybe better to shut down all these rumours coming from Barcelona.
"There is a moment where I see the rush for maybe sometimes from the frustrated side. There is a moment that he has to take control back of his career. Yes, you could find some excuses because things happened in Manchester and so on. But at some point you have to look at the mirror and there will be something that you are not doing and that's it.
"Wether you are happy or comfortable to talk about it, it's all good, but it's on a pitch that you need to really consolidate everything and make sure that there is no gap for doubt. There is a talented boy playing there, I don't think that he's asked questions. There is something that Rashford needs to do."
Rashford registered an assist in Barcelona's 6-0 victory over Valencia last weekend, and Saha added: "It's a new career. It's a new environment. It's a new championship, a new language. So there are a lot of things you have to adapt to and people have to understand that. Maybe the journalists are spreading those kinds of rumours, we have to wait and see what the manager thinks about him. And that's it.
"But he has to be strong, those types of things will come. People want him to be at the very bottom. This is where they can critique. But I'm sure that Rashford is going to score goals, he's going to assist and hopefully he's going to be in the England squad and perform there as well."
The Spanish giants have the option to make Rashford's move permanent next summer.
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