Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has been praised by Wayne Rooney amid his impressive form for Barcelona so far this season
Marcus Rashford runs
Marcus Rashford has been in good form for Barcelona this season (Image: Getty Images)
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Wayne Rooney has admitted he would prefer to see Marcus Rashford playing well for Manchester United rather than the England international impressing for Barcelona.
Rashford made a season-long loan switch to the Catalan giants this summer after being deemed surplus to requirements by Reds head coach Ruben Amorim. Barca have the option to sign Rashford for £30million in 2026 and are reportedly interested in making the move permanent, but at a cut-price rate.
The 27-year-old has impressed in his early days at the Camp Nou - netting five goals and providing seven assists across all competitions for Hansi Flick's team so far this season. His return to form has seen him earn a recall to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.
Former United and Three Lions captain Rooney has heaped praise on Rashford's impressive form in Spain and Tuchel's decision to recall him to the national team set-up.
“I'd much prefer to see him do that for Man United, if I'm honest," he said on the Wayne Rooney show. "But no, listen… I don't think it was the easiest start, the first couple of games, and there were people talking about him, but he's got his head down, he's doing well, he's playing well, and for any young English player, and especially someone you know and you want to do well, it's great to see that.
"Listen, Marcus Rashford at his best is a top, top player and that's what we all want to see and just hope he stays settled and he keeps performing, keeps working and if he does that then I don't think there's any doubt about his ability.
"And you know what, I think fair play to Thomas Tuchel for bringing him in and playing him as well. Now Anthony Gordon has probably gone ahead of him a little bit in Tuchel’s plans, it looks like anyway, you don't know.
"But for bringing him in and playing him and picking him when maybe people didn't think he should. So I think fair play to Tuchel because that gives a player confidence as well.”
Rashford's next chance to impress for Barcelona will be in Sunday's La Liga clash at home to Elche (5:30pm kick-off UK time). He will then be involved in games against Club Brugge and Celta Vigo before the November international break.
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