Rivaldo warns Marcus Rashford he isn't taking Barcelona star's first-team spot
Rashford has Manchester United to join the Catalan giants on a season-long loan deal, officially unveiled on Wednesday. Barcelona have agreed to cover his wages in full and have the option to make the move permanent for £30million next summer.
Rashford has been at his devastating best playing on the left over the years, a position he regards as his best.
Raphinha occupied that role for Barca last season, reaching a new level and placing himself in the Ballon d'Or conversation after a remarkable campaign where he scored 34 times and provided 25 assists.
Barcelona have been desperate to bring in a new winger, initially targeting Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams with Liverpool star Luis Diaz also considered.
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal each played over 4,500 minutes last season with no direct back-up for either man on the wing with Ferran Torres regarded as an option up top to compete with Robert Lewandowski.
While there will surely be plenty of opportunities coming his way, Rivaldo believes Rashford may have to wait for his chance to shine.
'When a player leaves a club in a tough situation, like he did, and joins a team like Barcelona, it's only natural that the coach will use training sessions and the first few matches to get a better look at him,' Rivaldo told Betfair.
'Barcelona had a great season last year, so it's normal for him to start off on the bench.
'I believe that little by little, he'll find his rhythm, start to understand how the manager wants the team to play, get used to the training routines, and gradually settle in. Over time, he'll earn his spot.'
It is unlikely to come at the expense of Raphinha, however.
'I think that's highly unlikely that Rashford will take Raphinha's spot, especially after the season Raphinha had last year. In my view, Raphinha is currently among the top five players in the world,' Rivaldo continued.
'Right now, he's an undisputed starter at Barça and already a club icon. Everyone, the players, the coaching staff, the whole club rates him very highly. More Trending
'What he did last season was outstanding, so without a doubt, that position is his.
'Of course, it's always good to have top-quality players around you. So yes, there will be competition, but I don't think Rashford is going to take Raphinha's place.
'Other opportunities will arise, and with training, the manager will likely find a way to fit them both into the team.
'But for me, Raphinha is a nailed-on starter. I don't see any chance of him being dropped from Barça's starting line-up.'
MORE: Ajax respond to £34m Chelsea bid to sign Jorrel Hato
MORE: Manchester United hierarchy set Ruben Amorim his Premier League target
MORE: Alejandro Garnacho leaves Man Utd fans fuming with comments on Marcus Rashford exit
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
3 minutes ago
- Metro
Benjamin Sesko U-turns over Man Utd transfer after Newcastle talks
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has opted to join Newcastle United instead of Manchester United, according to reports in Slovenia. After missing out on deals to sign Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres, United have made Sesko their top striker target for the summer transfer window. However, Ruben Amorim's side face competition from Newcastle, who are also in the market to sign a new forward due to the uncertainty over Alexander Isak's future following a £110 million bid from Liverpool this week. Reports this week had claimed that Sesko's preference was a move to United ahead of Newcastle this summer. But according to Slovenian daily newspaper Delo, Newcastle have managed to convince Sesko to make the move to St James' Park. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. RB Leipzig are open to selling Sesko after missing out on European football for the upcoming season but he Bundesliga club are demanding a €75m (£65.4m) transfer fee. More Trending Arsenal had also held talks to sign Sesko this summer but did not follow up with an offer due to the costs of the deal. Sesko has scored 39 goals in 87 appearances since moving to RB Leipzig two years ago. The Slovenia international's decision to chose Newcastle represents another setback for Manchester United in their search for a striker. United have already made an approach to Aston Villa to sign Ollie Watkins but have been told that the 29-year-old is not for sale. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Bruno Fernandes receives new approach to leave Manchester United this summer MORE: Newcastle star suggests he can replace Alexander Isak: 'I like playing No.9' MORE: Newcastle want Man Utd transfer target if Alexander Isak joins Liverpool
Leader Live
3 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Ryan Johnson's own goal gifts Luton all three points in League One opener
Matt Bloomfield's side, who were playing in the Premier League 15 months ago, had produced barely a chance of note – against a team which at the same time were finishing 10th in the fourth tier – until the Dons defender inadvertently lifted the ball over Nathan Bishop from Nahki Wells' forward punt and in off the crossbar with five minutes left. It was the first time since 2019 Luton had played at this level and an immediate return to the Championship looked like being anything but straightforward as Johnnie Jackson's visitors, fresh from victory in the League Two play-off final, contained them with relative ease for much of the match. The opening 45 minutes saw the teams muster two shots on goal between them, both off target and one of which landed on the roof of the Oak Stand behind Wimbledon goalkeeper Bishop. Visiting defender Joe Lewis might have been lucky to escape harsher punishment when he halted a clear run on goal for Wells, receiving just a yellow card for tripping the Hatters debutant when seemingly the last man. Reuell Walters finally had Luton's first shot on target after 63 minutes, drawing an outstanding one-handed save from Bishop with a drilled half-volley from range. Wimbledon looked to have done enough to earn a point, but then came Johnson's unfortunate wayward header to gift the Hatters victory.
Daily Mail
4 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Man United set to host fans at Old Trafford for away game screenings in 'pub-like' venue - and this is how much it will cost
Manchester United are opening their doors to fans for away game screenings at Old Trafford this season. The new scheme, which will cost fans £25 per match, will see supporters unable to land away match tickets the chance to watch United from the international suite at Old Trafford. In what has been described by insiders as a pub-like atmosphere, the suite will be decked out with big screens showing the games, as well as a bar and hot food. The £25 admission includes one free drink as well as a portion of food in what sources feel represents a value-for-money experience. Season ticket holders now have the chance to buy tickets to stadium screenings of the first three away games of the season, at Fulham, at Manchester City, and at Brentford. United have one of the most in-demand away tickets and demand to go continues to be at an all-time high despite the disappointment of results on the pitch. Insiders hope the screenings can help ease the demand and prove popular, particularly given that more fan protests are planned against the club's ownership for the forthcoming season, as Mail Sport first revealed. There has been friction with supporters just recently after it emerged that bosses were considering bringing in a controversial personal seat licence system (PSL) should they move to a new stadium, which would see fans charged up to £4,000 simply for the right to buy a season ticket. That prospect triggered anger among large sections of the fanbase, who have already launched a series of protests against the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos group. Mail Sport revealed plans are in place for further, large-scale demonstrations in a move which may come as a blow to United officials hoping to build on the optimism triggered by the arrivals of summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo and some encouraging performances from Ruben Amorim's men on their US tours they seek to improve on last season's 15th-placed finish. Supporters' group The 1958 claim the introduction of PSLs – which United are adamant has only been explored hypothetically – would 'force out supporters who have followed the club for decades' and represent 'another step towards the Americanisation of our game'. While United would be the first Premier League club to utilise such a system they are commonplace in the NFL. They also say the fact that US-based CSL International raised the prospect with fans during a consultation over the stadium 'shows just how out of touch our club and owners have become'.
