Had things gone to plan with FC Barcelona, the club would have welcomed their Italian visitors Como to a reopened and partially redeveloped Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday night.
Had things gone to plan with Marcus Rashford, the Mancunian striker would be preparing to play another season for his childhood team Manchester United.
But life seldom goes to plan. Barca’s home stadium is delayed again with the latest hope that it will open for a La Liga game against Valencia next month.
With Estadi Olimpic, their temporary home for the past two seasons, otherwise occupied hosting concerts, the Catalan giants played their traditional pre-season curtain raiser at the home of their all-conquering female side, the 6,000 capacity Johan Cruyff stadium on the outskirts of the city.
It was here that Rashford had an early chance to make a strong impression.
Manchester United finished 15th last season, their worst season for 50 years, and Rashford’s United career was cut short when he went on loan to Aston Villa before the recent move to Barcelona on a one-year loan.
The switch of stadiums wasn’t the biggest deal for this game - the Gamper is usually packed with visiting tourists rather than the week in, week out season ticket holders who tend to be away on holiday – but the much smaller crowd still meant a financial hit and Camp Nou needs to be ready.
Rashford has been welcomed by his new teammates and fans and has performed well in pre-season. He has the chance of a fresh start but isn’t yet registered to play in La Liga which starts next week with an away game at Real Mallorca. Such uncertainty is the norm at Barcelona.
Como, 10th in Serie A last season, were apt guests given former Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas is their coach.
Rashford, wearing the number 14 shirt once sported by Thierry Henry, was introduced to fans as the final player an hour before kick-off – the biggest name of the summer arrivals.
He started the game as the central forward with Lamine Yamal, the world’s best youngster, to his right, and Raphinha, a candidate for the Ballon d’Or, to his left.
Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Fermin Lopez were behind. There’s deep quality in the side which is one of the best in football – and will be hard to break into.
Unselfish in the first minute when he had a chance on goal, Rashford gave a risky pass on 13, then met a 19th minute ball with a heavy touch – a minute before Pedri put the team ahead.
German coach Hansi Flick, who had spoken publicly in Spanish for the first time before the game, spoke to Rashford during a first-half drinks break.
The Mancunian got into good positions, was always asking for the ball and celebrated as Fermin got the second. He was responsible for the best move of the first half when he took the ball with his back to goal, passed and then sprinted for the return which he met with a cross for Raphinha for the third on 38 minutes.
Yamal made it 4-0 just before the break, then set Rashford up with a chance to make it 5-0. Somehow, he shot wide and smiled since he knew he should’ve buried it.
“Rashford! Rashford!” chanted the small crowd in support.
The Englishman was one of two changes at half-time, before Yamal made it 5-0 after the restart.
Flick’s system could suit the Mancunian. Barcelona’s front three of Lamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha scored 94 goals last term but the team are likely to play 60 games this season and need back-up.
Lewandowski is injured and 37 this month. Yamal played 69 times for club and country last season. Ferran Torres, who scored 19 in 2024/25, knows the role and that you’re playing among very gifted footballers.
Athletic Club’s Nico Williams was a target for the Catalans, Liverpool’s Luiz Diaz too, but Rashford ended up making the move to a club he said he wanted to join since the start of the year when it was clear he had no United future under Ruben Amorim.
Barcelona, who tried to buy Rashford three times previously, have an option to take Rashford permanently for €30m next summer. He has between now and then to prove that he’s worth it and take the chances when he gets them.
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
Our commentary on Brexit
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
if you go
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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Points to remember
Debate the issue, don't attack the person
Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
Listen actively without interrupting
Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
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While you're here
While you're here...
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
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PLAY-OFF%20DRAW
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Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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RESULTS
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Company%C2%A0profile
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
War on waste
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
How to apply for a drone permit
Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request
What are the regulations?
Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Should have a live feed of the drone flight
Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5