Marcus Rashford is hoping to rejuvenate his career at Barcelona after joining the La Liga giants on a season-long loan.
Manchester United academy graduate Marcus Rashford found himself surplus to requirements under Ruben Amorim, following the head coach’s arrival in November 2024.
Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, before completing a ‘dream’ Barcelona move, but he must perform at a high standard to convince the La Liga champions to activate the £26 million buy option.
The 27-year-old forward impressed during pre-season, registering two goal contributions (one goal, one assist).
However, Rashford was criticised for failing to have an impact on his debut as Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0 in the 2025/26 season opener.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick excused Rashford’s performance and aimed criticism at his other players for not meeting the required standards on the pitch.
Rashford will be aiming to have a greater impact when he makes his next appearance for Barcelona.
Marcus Rashford sitting on the bench for Barcelona
Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images
Roy Keane and Gary Neville raise doubts over Marcus Rashford
Former United captain Roy Keane has questioned whether Rashford has the footballing brain required to succeed at Barcelona.
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Keane wasn’t alone with his concerns for Rashford, as Gary Neville fears he won’t have the positive impact he previously had at United, three years ago, before his form deteriorated.
The pair were involved in a discussion about the transfer window’s winners and losers on the latest Stick to Football podcast when Neville said: “Last one is Marcus Rashford to Barcelona. I know it’s not a big signing in terms of the Premier League but it’s an amazing move for him.
“I mean, I hope he does well. I think that him leaving is a poor reflection upon the club, but also him in terms of how it’s gone in the last few years. But I just hope he can get his career back on track. What a move.”
Keane asked: “Do you reckon he’s got enough football intelligence to go over there and adapt to a different league, different football, different lifestyle?
“Has he got that intelligence on and off the pitch to make it work? He’s obviously a talented boy. We know his strengths and that is running in behind. He kind of stopped doing that a little bit.”
Neville added that Rashford could face similar struggles he experienced previously at United, given Barcelona’s emphasis on controlling possession and playing in tight spaces.
“Well I think Roy, you’re in Barcelona. It’s maybe because I’m thinking of Barcelona 10 years ago.
“I know it’s slightly different now but they dominate a lot of games whereby they are high up the pitch and you’ve got teams behind the ball, and you think Marcus is better when he’s playing in a counter-attacking system. So when you’re playing in tight areas.”
Keane interrupted, saying: “That’s why I think there are question marks, a little bit.”
Neville concluded: “I know he plays off the left-hand side.
“But when United had teams that sat deep against him, you quite often saw him sort of run the ball out of play a bit didn’t you and stuff and, just be a bit scruffy. But I mean look, his confidence looks like he’s [on the up].”
Keane went on to say Rashford would be a ‘hit’ to add a feel-good factor to the discussion.
Rashford names Barcelona’s most underrated player
In a recent interview with Sport, Rashford provided some insight from the Barcelona dressing room.
The United loanee named Gavi as the joker of the dressing room, while Jules Kounde got the nod as the best dressed.
Rashford also revealed that former United transfer target Frenkie de Jong is the most underrated player at Barcelona.
“It’s difficult, everyone is very good,” Rashford said.
“But for what he does for the team, I think Frenkie.”