Marcus Rashford and Aaron Ramsdale are expected to go head-to-head in the Champions League tonight
Marcus Rashford left a positive first impression on Aaron Ramsdale during one of their first meetings.
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Newcastle United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has previously discussed the 'humility' shown by Marcus Rashford, with the two England internationals poised to face each other once more. The pair will be battling it out when Barcelona travel to St James' Park for Tuesday night's Champions League clash.
With Nick Pope sidelined through injury, Ramsdale is anticipated to keep his place between the sticks for the fixture, as both sides attempt to secure an advantage ahead of next week's second leg at the Nou Camp. He'll be determined to prevent Rashford from replicating the brace he scored when the two sides met during the league phase of the competition.
Nevertheless, this won't be the first encounter between the two Englishmen, having faced off numerous times in the Premier League whilst Rashford was at Manchester United. In December 2020, he found the net twice during a 3-2 victory over Sheffield United.
Ahead of the reverse fixture, just a few months afterwards, Ramsdale revealed a gesture from the striker that left a lasting impression on him.
Speaking in early 2021, Ramsdale, who was then with the Blades, told the Yorkshire Post: "With the game against Man United in December, me and Marcus had a conversation at the end and spoke about my family and his and what he is doing for the country.
"To be honest, me and Marcus do not know each other too well, so for him to ask about my mum and dad was a lovely gesture and one you can take something from even though he is an opponent – and he scored two past me. His humility shone through."
Aaron Ramsdale was impressed by Marcus Rashford.
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Since then, the pair may have had more opportunities to become acquainted, having both been selected for the European Championships squad the following summer.
The tournament saw England reach the final, only to suffer a penalty shootout defeat to Italy.
Post-tournament, Ramsdale has had stints with Arsenal and Southampton before securing a loan move to Newcastle this summer. Rashford stayed at United until January of last year, when he was loaned out to Aston Villa.
He subsequently secured another loan move to Barcelona in the summer, and it's anticipated that the Manchester United academy product will make the switch permanent in the upcoming transfer window.