Marcus Rashford in Barcelona as loan move from Manchester United nears completion
The move to Barcelona is another chance for Rashford to revive his career. He was considered one of the foremost young talents in Europe at the time that he broke out of seemingly nowhere under Louis Van Gaal's stewardship in 2016. Spanish media said the one-year loan agreement with United would give Barcelona an option to buy Rashford for about 30 million euros ($35 million).
Barcelona had the best attack in Spanish football and one of the most prolific across Europe last season, but had been trying to add another piece to the frontline to go along with young star Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and veteran Robert Lewandowski.
Rashford has scored 138 goals in 429 appearances and won five trophies, including two FA Cups and the Europa League. With his career coinciding with Manchester United's fall since the retirement of Alex Ferguson in 2013, Rashford has never really come close to winning the English Premier League or the Champions League. He also struggled to consistently live up to the hype that surrounded him when he burst onto the scene as a teenager in 2016 – only managing 20 goals or more in three seasons. In his last two seasons at United he scored a combined 15 goals and added another four in 17 games on loan at Villa.
Barcelona won the Spanish league title with 102 goals, 24 more than runner-up Real Madrid. The Catalan club also led the Champions League in goals with 43, five more than champion Paris Saint-Germain, before being eliminated by Inter Milan in the semifinals.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
40 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Xavi never applied for Indian football head coach job': AIFF accused of ‘intentionally' misleading fans
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently claimed that Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez had applied for the Indian football team head coach role, but his application was rejected due to financial issues. According to a TOI report, the AIFF revealed that the board would not be able to afford his salary. Barcelona's head coach Xavi Hernandez reportedly applied for the Indian football head coach job.(AP) But according to world-famous football journalist Fabrizio Romano, there has been zero talks between Xavi and AIFF. Romano took to X, and wrote, 'Despite recent reports, zero talks took place between Xavi Hernandez and Indian Federation.' Meanwhile, according to reputed Spanish journalist Ferran Correas, the AIFF 'intentionally used Xavi's name to boost the profile of the role'. Correas has been quoted by Barca Times, in which he said, 'People close to Xavi insist that he never applied for the head coach position of the Indian NT. They believe the All India Football Federation intentionally used his name to boost the profile of the role during their search for a new manager.' What did AIFF say earlier? Surprisingly, national team director Subrata Paul told TOI earlier, 'Yes, Xavi's name was there. The application was emailed to the AIFF.' According to TOI, the other candidates who have applied for the job are ex-India coach Stephen Constantine, Liverpool legend Harry Kewell, Kibu Vicuna, Eelco Schattorie, Khalid Jamil, Slovakia's Stefa Tarkovic and former Blackburn manager Steve Kean. As head coach for Barcelona, Xavi led them to the 2023 Supercopa de Espana and 2022-23 La Liga title. During his playing career, he won the UEFA Euro in 2008 and 2012, and also the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, he left Barcelona as a player in 2015 for Al Asadd, where also won four trophies before retiring in 2019. With Barcelona as a player, he won five La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey titles and three Champions League trophies, also consisting of two continental trebles.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Kyrie Irving admitted he watched his former teammate Luka Doncic torch the court with a 24-point blitz in just 180 seconds
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic. Image via: Getty Images When Luka Doncic catches fire, the results are nothing short of breathtaking. Kyrie Irving , his former Dallas Mavericks teammate, has seen it firsthand, and not just during NBA games. During a recent Twitch stream, Irving recalled witnessing Doncic unload a jaw-dropping 24 points in only three minutes during a Mavericks practice, reminding fans just how dangerous Luka can be with the ball in his hands. Luka Doncic's scoring frenzy leaves Kyrie Irving speechless Luka Doncic's on-court brilliance has never been in question. The Slovenian star has had multiple scoring explosions over his six-and-a-half-year stretch with the Dallas Mavericks. But what happens during those closed-door practice runs? According to Kyrie Irving, some of Luka's most outrageous moments never even made it to the hardwood under the spotlight. Speaking on TheTylilShow via Twitch, Irving dropped a gem that set Mavericks fans buzzing, "I witnessed him give somebody 24 points in three minutes." He added that Luka was capable of putting up monstrous numbers on any given day. He gave Irving 60, 18, 18 in practice. This wasn't just a one-time occurrence. According to Kyrie, Doncic's practice intensity often mirrored his game-time explosiveness. He was dominating. Fans, naturally, tried to guess who was on the receiving end of that 24-point outburst, with some playfully pointing fingers at former Maverick Grant Williams, who left behind a polarizing legacy in Dallas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo But only the team truly knows. What's clear, though, is how special that Irving-Doncic pairing was, even for a fleeting moment. Their chemistry, both on and off the court, was undeniable. They often referred to each other as 'hermano,' Spanish for brother. The catchy nickname was a reflection of a genuine connection that never got the full runway it deserved, especially after the surprise midseason trade that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Kyrie Irving cherishes lessons from former teammates Even though the partnership ended too soon, Irving continues to speak with great respect about Doncic, and many others he's played with over the years. 'Each one of them brings something unique to the table, but they all pushed me to be better, you know," Kyrie shared. Also Read: 'Always and Forever' — NBA legend Dennis Rodman pours heartfelt tribute to WWE icon Hulk Hogan Reflecting on the greats who've shaped him, Irving said, "Bron, KD, J-Kidd, Vince Carter, Tim Duncan, Reggie Miller, Hakeem Olajuwon— just guys that I could think of off the top of my head... I don't take it for granted. Ever." FAQs Did Luka Doncic really score 24 points in three minutes? Yes, Kyrie Irving confirmed this happened during a Dallas Mavericks practice session. Who did Luka Doncic score the 24 points against? The specific player wasn't named, but fans humorously speculate it could've been Grant Williams. Are Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic still close? Yes, they shared a strong bond and often referred to each other as 'hermano.' For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
'False Alarm?': AIFF Faked Xavi's Head Coach Application To Boost Profile, Claim Reports
Last Updated: Sources close to the Barcelona legend claimed that the Spaniard never applied for the job and opined that the AIFF used his name to increase the appeal around the vacancy. A day after news circulated that decorated former Spanish midfielder Xavi had tossed his name in the hat for the vacant role at the helm of the Indian national football team, sources close to the World Cup winner claim that the All Indian Football Federation misused the legend's name in order to boost the profile of the job. Indian football has been in the doldrums, and the AIFF opened applications for the role of the head coach following the departure of Manolo Marquez. Sources close to the Barcelona legend claimed that the Spaniard never applied for the job and opined that the AIFF used his name to increase the appeal around the vacancy. Multiple big names, including the likes of Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, Stephen Constantine, Steve Kean, Khalid Jamil, Kibu Vicuna and Eelco Schattorie have expressed interest in taking over the mantle of the Blue Tigers, but AIFF reportedly cooked up Xavi's application. A member of the technical committee further went on to claim that despite the maestro's interest, the AIFF felt that the cost of hiring a global superstar would be too high considering the budget of the federation. The Barca faithful, Xavi was head coach at Al Sadd before taking over at Barcelona four years ago and led the Blaugrana to the La Liga title in his debut season as the head coach of his boyhood club. view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 07:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
