So the last time Barcelona fans saw Marcus Rashford up close, he was firing in goals from all angles, and looking like one of the best forwards in the Premier League. I guess the best place to start is what has happened over the past two years and how did it get to this point for Rashford?<\/strong><\/p>\n Barcelona fans will be familiar with the free-scoring Rashford we witnessed in 2022\/2023 due to the stellar showing he put in against Xavi Hernandez\u2019s side in the Europa League in February 2023. That campaign would end up marking a career-best for him, with Rashford notching 30 goals for the first time in all competitions. He was subsequently rewarded with a lucrative new deal that summer, which saw him become one of the club\u2019s highest earners. Then, in true United fashion, things turned awry in the follow-up season.<\/p>\n Rashford would go on to record 22 fewer goals in 23\/24, despite still being trusted with the same permanent starting role he\u2019d enjoyed the term prior. It\u2019s clear as day with him when his confidence is shot, as he starts to cut an all-too-familiar frustrated figure on the pitch when things just aren\u2019t working out for him in front of goal.<\/p>\n Still struggling to reignite the most prolific version of himself, supporters thought Rashford had done exactly that when he scored the first goal of Ruben Amorim\u2019s tenure after just 80 seconds at Portman Road. That was, however, until a fallout behind the scenes led to him being completely exiled from all first-team action; his last appearance for United came in December 2024.<\/p>\n One of the concerns for Barcelona fans is that two Manchester United managers have decided not to rebuild with Rashford. Are there \u2018character concerns\u2019, are they legitimate? What kind of person are Barcelona getting beyond the player?<\/strong><\/p>\n Rashford is, unfortunately, one of those English players whose name will be in the headlines weekly irrespective of how he\u2019s faring on the pitch. When the press over here latch onto a player, there\u2019s essentially nothing they can do to be shown in a positive light to the masses anymore. On the other hand, those who spew hate in his direction at any given opportunity would do well to remember the work he did for underprivileged children and working-class families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Campaigning to end child poverty in the UK prompted the government to U-turn on its free school meals policy, which ensured those on the program would continue benefiting throughout the school holidays.<\/p>\n Images: Training today. @FCBarcelona<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0uDcj3M7vD<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 barcacentre (@barcacentre) July 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Such philanthropic work has continued throughout his career to help those less fortunate than he now is. Some class it as PR displays, I see it as a man who was born into a single-parent, struggling family, who had to overcome endless barriers on and off the field to reach the status he\u2019s at now, simply using his platform to improve the lives of people navigating similar situations he did.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, and the word \u2018positive\u2019 has been used to describe it a lot. How did he get on at Villa, and was it positive by Rashford\u2019s standards or by general consensus?<\/strong><\/p>\n Rashford was indeed given a new lease of life at Villa in January. It wasn\u2019t his first-choice move by any stretch \u2013 reports even back then were relaying his desires to join Barcelona mid-season until their precarious financial situation rendered the deal impossible.<\/p>\n In the 17 games he played for the Villains, he accumulated four goals and six assists before missing the final matches of his loan spell through injury. You\u2019d have to question what difference he could\u2019ve made had he been available to feature in their FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n Rashford\u2019s most notable performance in claret and blue came in the Champions League quarter-finals second leg at home to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain. He played 76 minutes that night and completed four dribbles, four key passes and created two big chances, whilst also providing a crucial assist amidst Villa\u2019s emphatic win.<\/p>\n Anyone who watched the game will remember just how much Rashford was pulling the strings for Unai Emery, hence why those in the stadium felt so disgruntled when the Englishman was withdrawn in the closing stages of the tie for Ollie Watkins. The ability to perform at such a level in such a high-pressure clash could prove game-defining for Barcelona in the coming months.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Barcelona have played with a front three and a number 10 under Hansi Flick, with Rashford slated as relief for the left wing position<\/a>, or to go through the middle as a more quintessential number nine. Which of those positions suits him best, and what are the pros and cons of him in each of those areas?<\/strong><\/p>\n Rashford is said to prefer playing on the left, but does of course boast plenty of experience in both.<\/p>\n His dribbling \u2013 as proven in the aforementioned PSG affair \u2013 can torment defenders in one-on-ones. United fans have already remarked how Real Madrid signing Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely be furious at Rashford joining him over in Spain, given how much grief he often caused his compatriot during United and Liverpool\u2019s meetings.<\/p>\n \n![\"Marcus](\"https:\/\/aquires.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Rashford-Amorim.jpg\")
\nSome criticism is justified. The reports of Rashford partying midweek in nightclubs in Belfast before reporting ill for training and being left out of the matchday squad are inexcusable \u2013 that\u2019s a sheer lack of professionalism.<\/p>\n\n
Where is Rashford right now on the pitch?<\/h2>\n
![\"Rashford](\"https:\/\/aquires.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Rashford.jpeg\")
How will Rashford fit in at Barcelona?<\/h2>\n