Marcus Rashford has already reached double figures for goals and assists during his Barcelona loan spell
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona inspects the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford has impressed on loan at Barcelona(Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
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When Barcelona face Newcastle United on Wednesday evening, the match will represent another chance for Marcus Rashford to compete against one of his former Manchester United colleagues. Rashford, who is currently on loan, won't be playing against his parent club this season due to United's failure to qualify for Europe but does have ex-team-mate Anthony Elanga standing between him and a run at Champions League glory.
Elanga, who joined United's academy as a teenager, came on as a substitute for Rashford when he made his senior debut under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He played 55 times for the club before moving to Nottingham Forest in 2023 and then transferring to Newcastle for £55 million last summer.
Both Rashford and Elanga were in the starting line-up when Barcelona defeated Newcastle in the first match week of this season's Champions League, with the former netting twice in a 2-1 victory. However, they were denied a second reunion in the first leg of the knockout tie between the teams, as Elanga started for Newcastle but was substituted before Rashford came off the Barca bench.
The round of 16 clash is finely balanced after Lamine Yamal's late equaliser denied Newcastle, who thought they had claimed victory through Harvey Barnes. While the Manchester United reunion provides an interesting side story, the second leg will also give Rashford a chance to move closer to realising his dream of a first Champions League title to add to the Europa League he won in 2017.
"I'm learning a lot, it's a new style of football," the England international told TNT Sports after his brace in September. "But it's making me a better player. Honestly, it's an amazing experience. I've always been a huge admirer of Barcelona, every player my age has watched them play, it's amazing football."
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona and Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United challenge during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on September 18, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Rashford and Elanga have already faced off once this season(Image: Sportsphoto/Allstar, Getty Images)
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He also had kind words for Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, saying of the German: "He's very important. I feel the confidence he's given me. I knew he was a top manager before I arrived here, but to work with him is a pleasure. I hope the good relationship will continue for the rest of the season.
"For sure, everybody dreams of winning the Champions League. Now I'm at Barcelona, the dream is with Barcelona. I hope we can win the tournament, there's some very good confidence. Hopefully we can go game by game and keep improving as a team."
Rashford finished the league phase as Barcelona's joint-leading scorer in Europe, equalling Fermin Lopez's tally of five goals. He has reached double figures for goals and assists across all competitions, with a permanent switch to Camp Nou at the season's conclusion looking likely.
Lamine Yamal scoring for Barcelona against Newcastle
Lamine Yamal scored a late equaliser for Barcelona in the first leg
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Flick's side picked up 16 points from their eight league phase fixtures, losing against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea but securing a top-eight berth when they fought back to defeat FC Copenhagen on the final matchday. They found the net 22 times throughout their eight matches, with only league leaders Arsenal managing more.
Barcelona clinched the Champions League title four times in a decade from 2005 to 2015, but the subsequent ten years have proved less successful. Their best result in the competition since that 2015 is a run to the semi-finals, something they achieved in 2019 and 2025.