Marcus Rashford returns to action for Barcelona this weekend as the Manchester United loanee closes in on a potential permanent switch to the Camp Nou next summer
Marcus Rashford applauds
The decision to loan Marcus Rashford has been lauded despite his turn of form away from Manchester United
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Marcus Rashford's resurgence at Barcelona has convinced Manchester United alumni Gordon Strachan and Wes Brown the club was right to let him leave. One would understand why United may feel a tinge of regret for sending the player away following his prolific turn of form in Catalonia.
Rashford, 28, has been directly involved in 15 goals across his first 16 outings for Barca, reminding fans in Manchester what he's capable of. What's more, the £28million it would reportedly cost the Blaugrana to make that move permanent is looking like more of a bargain by the week.
But while some United fans may feel they're missing out, both Strachan and Brown believe United made the right call loaning out the player. And the pair looked to Rashford's latest performances for Thomas Tuchel's England as further proof the right call was made.
"Marcus Rashford was very good for England last week, but I maintain that Manchester United were right to part way with him," Strachan told Esports News. "The time was right for both parties to move on, and it’s been proven to have been the right decision.
"Rashford was struggling at United, and it seemed as if he didn’t have Ruben Amorim’s full confidence; he wasn’t getting a lot of game time, but in the minutes that he did play, I think it’s fair to say he didn’t prove the doubters wrong.
"I’m glad to see him finding success at Barcelona. Everyone has said all along that he’s a talented player - that’s never been in doubt. The move has benefitted his career and also allowed United to move forward, rather than be stuck with a dilemma in the dressing room."
Gordon Strachan speaking on Sky Sports
Gordon Strachan made 191 appearances for United between 1984 and 1989
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Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, where he displayed another positive turn in form after stagnating under United boss Ruben Amorim. Prior to that, he was disciplined by the club in January 2024 after he missed training following a boozy night out in Belfast.
A change of scenery appears to have worked wonders for Rashford, who is now looking more like the player United hoped he would become. And Brown believes both parties can be content with how things are working out.
In a recent interview with BetWright casino, he said: "Marcus Rashford was always going to do well after moving away from Manchester United. He’d been at the club for so many years and not all those years would have been enjoyable for Marcus, particularly the final couple.
Wes Brown, Danny Webber and Helen Evans of MUTV broadcast ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Leicester City FC at Old Trafford
Wes Brown agreed United were right to send Rashford out on loan
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"He got a lot of stick from people towards the end of last season, so I don’t blame him for making a change, and I think his departure suited United as well. No one thought that he was going to leave and be shocking, but he just wasn’t in the right headspace to perform at United – it wasn’t working."
The Treble-winner went on to back Rashford in keeping his place as part of Tuchel's England squad and predicted he'll have "a great World Cup" next year. The Three Lions qualified at the top of their group with a perfect record, and Rashford wrapped up the campaign by assisting Harry Kane in a 2-0 win over Albania.
There's little reason to believe Tuchel will drop the player given his uptick in form for Barcelona. And while United could do with an additional forward when the Africa Cup of Nations temporarily takes away the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad, the parting of ways perhaps remains best for all involved.