Marcus Rashford has had to settle for a supporting role at Barcelona in recent weeks, and head coach Hansi Flick has commented on the Manchester United loanee's character
Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, speaks to the media in a post match press conference following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has spoken about Marcus Rashford's character after having a tough chat with him
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Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has praised Marcus Rashford for how he has taken reduced playing time. The Manchester United loanee has been limited to substitute appearances in four of his last five matches.
After falling out of favour at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim, Rashford made a loan move to Aston Villa in January before he embarked on another temporary spell away this summer, moving to Spain.
There, he has proven to be a valuable squad player under Flick, scoring six goals so far, four of these coming in the Champions League. His minutes have decreased in recent weeks as other first-team stars return from injury, but Rashford's reaction to this has pleased his manager.
Rashford's character was often called into question at his boyhood club United, especially by Amorim, who queried the England star's efforts in training. He was also dropped by Flick after he was late to a September team meeting.
But Flick now has nothing but praise for Rashford when it comes to how he has handled a reduced role. It has been Brazilian ace Raphinha who has essentially taken his place in the starting XI after he recovered from a hamstring injury, with Robert Lewandowski preferred up front.
Flick said: "I try to speak to every player when they are not selected and the last time I checked with him he replied to me, 'Boss, you don't have to tell me about your decisions. The most important thing is the team. We have to win the three points. The rest is not that important.'
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona jogs during the Spanish La Liga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid
Rashford has been introduced at half-time in three of his last five games
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"This is the perfect mentality. I am so happy to have him. When he is on the bench, he shows that we have a good and deep squad," he continued.
"What I can say is that he is an absolutely professional player. In the beginning, he had to adapt a little bit, but now he is at his best level."
Rashford himself spoke out last week when asked about how he has fared since joining Barcelona on loan. The 28-year-old was quick to play up just how much he is enjoying life with the Catalan giants.
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona interacts with Head Coach Hansi Flick prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Vallecas on August 31, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
Flick has been impressed with Rashford
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"I don't see anything here as like a pressure. It's just, I'm here to play football," Rashford said. "It's been amazing. I feel welcome, I feel at home.
"I've just been enjoying every step of the way. It's a new language of football. I've always been, like many people in the world, an admirer of Spanish football.
"To play for the biggest club in Spain is a huge honour. I'm looking forward to playing more games here, and I'm just doing my best and try to help the team to win.
"It's a club that demands this," he continued. "The environment is always pushing us to be the best players we can be, so it's perfect to be in a place like this as a player."