Marcus Rashford Expresses Gratitude After Joining Barcelona on Loan

Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on loan for the season from Manchester United. He talked about his former club as he starts a new journey.

RASHFORD REFLECTS ON MANCHESTER UNITED

During his unveiling at Barcelona, Rashford said, “I don’t have anything bad to say about Manchester United. It’s been an important part of my life. I’m grateful… I just wish them all the best and I hope they are successful in the future.”

The 27-year-old emerged through United’s youth academy and rose to be the club’s 13th all-time top scorer with 138 goals in 426 appearances since debuting in 2015.

THE JOURNEY SO FAR

Under Ruben Amorim, Rashford struggled to find first-team playing time at Manchester United last term. He was on loan at Aston Villa for the latter half of the 2024-25 season, contributing to eight goals and three assists in 27 Premier League matches there.

Despite excelling, Villa did not exercise an option to make the move permanent. Rashford returned to United, who told him Amorim did not see him in the club’s future. He trained apart from the squad before the Barcelona loan came to fruition.

The England forward is now poised to join Hansi Flick’s Barcelona roster as it embarks on a preseason tour of Asia. He will sport the number 14 jersey for the Blaugrana.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR RASHFORD AND HIS TEAMS?

Barcelona finished as winners in La Liga last season, ahead of Real Madrid and Atletico, but Rashford helps bolster an attack that aspires to renew their league title. Reports confirm that Barcelona signed Rashford on a season-long loan with a €30 million purchase option from Manchester United.

Manchester United, meanwhile, placed 15th in the Premier League, missing out on the Champions League and any other European competition as it embarks on a major rebuilding effort. It is also open to letting Rashford leave to raise funds with several key players wishing to depart.

Barca’s first league tie of 2025-26 will be against Mallorca, who finished mid-table last campaign. United’s inaugural test comes against last season’s runner-ups, and the most active English team in this transfer window, Arsenal.

Both clubs will be keen to start strong, and Rashford’s arrival in Spain is expected to be one of the summer’s most anticipated subplots.