Barcelona signed Marcus Rashford on a season-long loan from Manchester United during the summer transfer window – and the forward has made his transfer preference clear
Marcus Rashford has impressed since joining Barcelona
Marcus Rashford has impressed since joining Barcelona(Image: (Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images))
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Barcelona manager Hansi Flick believes a "change of atmosphere" has put a smile back on Marcus Rashford’s face. Rashford has made a promising start to life at Barca after joining the club on loan from Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
The England international fell out of favour at Old Trafford last season but has found fresh momentum since moving to Spain, scoring six times in all competitions. After missing his side’s 4-0 LaLiga win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday due to flu, Rashford is back available for tonight’s Champions League showdown against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
And Flick is relieved to have the forward back, admitting: “I’m really very happy. He came back from a cold, but he’s OK.
“We’ll decide tomorrow if he starts or not. But I’m happy to have him in our team. I followed him his whole career.
“I was impressed with his quality, what he’s doing in the box in front of the opponent’s goal. He has shown it in Barcelona.
“Also for him this change to live in another culture, with fantastic people, nice weather, it’s amazing. We can see now he’s also smiling a lot. If he can enjoy the atmosphere we have it’s also very good.”
Four of Rashford’s six goals for the La Liga giants have come in the Champions League, including two on the team’s previous visit to England to face Newcastle United in September. But Barca goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny believes his team-mate 'deserves' even more goals given his contribution to the team so far this season.
Speaking to Barca’s YouTube channel, the former Arsenal man said: “Marcus is an excellent player, I love him a lot. Direct in his play, attacks with speed, and he’s contributed to a lot of goals.
Marcus Rashford celebrates with his Barcelona team-mates after scoring against Newcastle
Marcus Rashford celebrates with his Barcelona team-mates after scoring against Newcastle
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“I think he’s a complete player, and I remember him since he was 18 or 19 in the Premier League. I knew he was special back then.
“He has fewer goals than he deserves, because in training, when he’s having a good day, you can’t stop him. If he shows that magical right foot more in matches, he’ll be very dangerous.”
Rashford spent the second-half of last season at Aston Villa before sealing a dream move to Barca over the summer. The Catalan giants have the option to sign the England man permanently for £28m this summer.
And when asked if he wanted to sign a permanent deal with Barcelona, Rashford recently told ESPN: “Oh yeah, for sure.
“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. For a player is an honour.
"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 I'm enjoying everything."