EXCLUSIVE: Marcus Rashford left Manchester United last summer in bitter circumstances
Marcus Rashford of Barcelona looks during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between FC Barcelona and Olympiacos FC at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 21, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United last summer(Image: Getty Images)
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Former Manchester City talent Tyrhys Dolan is delighted with Marcus Rashford’s return to form at Barcelona, saying the forward was "treated poorly" at Manchester United.
Rashford joined Barcelona last summer on a season-long loan move from Old Trafford. Last term, the 28-year-old fell out with then-manager Ruben Amorim, which saw him effectively frozen out of the first-team squad, sent on loan to Aston Villa and eventually forced out in the summer.
However, Rashford’s stint in Barcelona has been a success until now, with the England international having recorded 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions. His impressive performances have led to growing speculation that the Spanish giants could make his move permanent this summer by activating a £26million option-to-buy clause.
Dolan, who joined Barcelona’s local rivals Espanyol on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers in the same window as Rashford’s move, has now revealed what it’s like to play against his fellow Englishman in La Liga. The pair faced each other on the same flank back in January, when Barcelona won the Catalan derby 2-0.
Speaking exclusively to The Manchester Evening News, Dolan said: "It was top to play against him because, obviously both being from Manchester, I watched him and heard so much about him and what he was doing at Manchester United, the way he burst through onto the scene and how much he's achieved in his career. Rivalry aside between Espanyol and Barcelona, it's amazing to share the pitch with players like that."
Dolan came through City’s academy ranks with Cole Palmer as a youngster. Yet, he sympathises with Rashford over how he was treated during his time at United, though he didn’t specify whether he was referring to the media or the club.
Tyrhys Dolan during Espanyol's match against Osasuna
Tyrhys Dolan spoke to Rashford recently(Image: Getty Images)
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The 24-year-old winger added: "After the game we shared some words and I'm glad to see him enjoying his football because I think he got treated a little bit poorly at times. It's difficult because there's so many pressures in football and he's human, but he's absolutely flying for Barcelona and I am happy to see it and a boost in his mental health as well."
Rashford received plenty of criticism in the years that followed his meteoric rise from the academy to the first team in the 2015/16 season.
Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Manchester United, speaks to Marcus Rashford of Manchester United as he prepares to enter the pitch as a substitute during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester United and FK Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford on November 28, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Rashford fell out with Ruben Amorim (Image: Getty Images)
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Scrutiny over his off-field actions included a Conservative MP slamming him for helping to tackle child hunger in the UK during the pandemic, saying he should focus on football instead of "playing politics".
Other incidents that shone a light on him included arriving late to United training and being spotted partying in Belfast and reporting ill the following day.
Rashford’s most recent head coach at United, Amorim, publicly called out his commitment levels in training less than two months into his tenure last season, saying he would rather pick his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach to be on the bench.
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