Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford was expected to join Barcelona permanently in the summer, only for the Catalan club to sign Anthony Gordon instead
Marcus Rashford has played well since returning to Manchester United
Marcus Rashford has played well since returning to Manchester United(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Barcelona sporting director Deco admits Anthony Gordon fits Hansi Flick's style more than Marcus Rashford, after a permanent transfer from Manchester United collapsed in the summer. The 28-year-old moved on loan to the Catalan club last summer after a fallout with previous head coach Ruben Amorim.
That deal included a £26m option to buy clause, this summer. Rashford went on to score 14 goals and bag a further 14 assists during an impressive loan spell in Catalonia. His form at the Camp Nou even earned him a recall to Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup.
After scoring in a victory over Real Madrid, that secured La Liga, Rashford admitted he was interested in signing for Barcelona permanently. However, Barca chose not to activate the option to buy clause. Instead, Barca opted to spend £69m on Newcastle's Gordon.
Explaining that decision on RAC1, Deco said: "We are extremely grateful to Rashford. He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony.
"His style fits with what the coach is looking for. We see every training session and analyse the team. We have a clear idea of what we're looking for. One of the areas we struggled last season, without Raphinha, was that the team's energy dropped. It was lost.
"We needed more intensity. We analysed a lot of wingers. Signing someone from the Premier League is almost impossible, but [Flick] was clear with what he wanted and we worked on a deal from there."
As the summer progressed, it became less and less likely that Rashford would leave. Two weeks out from the start of the Premier League season, Rashford returned to Carrington to prepare for the new season.
He has since played in United's three opening matches of the season, starting against Ipswich Town and Everton. Rashford is in line to start twice this week against Sabah FK in the Champions League and Manchester City, on Sunday.
Speaking in August, ahead of the transfer window closing, Michael Carrick said: "He's added to the group for us, for sure, because it's pretty obvious. I think he's making the most of that for us and for him as well, to have the opportunity to be here.
"He's one of our own. He's living his dream, playing here now, and trying to be successful and win.
"At this club, there is always players that have come back sometimes, or players that maybe were going to leave, didn't leave. It's always about what you do next, and what your intentions are. He's been fantastic since he came back, I have to say."