Rashford joins Barcelona on loan from Man United
Media reports said that Barcelona would cover Rashford's wages this season after the player accepted a pay cut, with the option to buy set at around 30 million euros ($35.25 million) for the 27-year-old.
"Very excited. I think it's a club where people's dreams come true. They win big prizes. And what the club stands for really means a lot to me as well. So it feels like I am at home," Rashford told reporters following his unveiling.
"Another factor is because the conversations I had with the manager (Hansi Flick) were positive. What he did last season was terrific.
"To lead such a young team to a very successful season and come back to pre-season and still want to do more, it shows me everything I thought I knew about the club and it's everything I wished."
Once seen as a club icon and homegrown star, Rashford had a dramatic fall from grace at United, marked by a falling out with manager Ruben Amorim that paved the way for him to move to Aston Villa on loan in February.
"(Manchester United) is in a period of change and they have been for a while. I don't have anything bad to say as it has been an important part not just of my career but my life, so I was grateful for the opportunity," he added.
"But like life not everything goes as simple as you thought and this is my next chapter and I'm fully focused on improving myself and helping the team win trophies."
Barcelona said Rashford had signed his contract earlier in the afternoon. "Rashford can play anywhere in attack. Right footed, he can take players on and is an excellent finisher, talents he can now show in a Barca shirt," the club said in a statement.
The move came after Manchester-born Rashford, who made 426 senior appearances and scored 138 goals for United in all competitions, fell out of favour with Amorim, who called his workrate into question.
Rashford, who won two FA Cups, two League Cups and a Europa League title with United, joined Aston Villa on loan after Amorim said he would rather put a goalkeeper coach on the bench than a player not giving their all.
United issued a statement wishing Rashford well as they announced the deal with Barcelona.
"Everyone at Manchester United wishes Marcus good luck for the season," the club said.
The forward, who has scored 17 goals for England in 62 appearances, said he was feeling fitter and better after joining Villa, where he netted two goals in 10 league games, while United had their worst-ever Premier League campaign, finishing 15th in the standings.
Rashford said he had wanted to move to Barca during the mid-season transfer window when he joined Villa.
"I was clear on my preference (to join Barcelona) from the beginning. Actually from maybe in January. It didn't work out in January so I went to Villa and enjoyed a good period there," he said.
"It was time to make another decision. My choice was easy. (Barcelona) is a family club, something I'm used to from my past. It feels like home."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Jordan Times
3 days ago
- Jordan Times
Spain beat Germany with Bonmati extra-time goal to reach Euro 2025 final
ZURICH — Aitana Bonmati netted the only goal of the game late in extra time as world champions Spain edged Germany 1-0 in their Women's Euro 2025 semifinal on Wednesday to set up a title decider this weekend against England. A tense game in Zurich was ticking down towards penalties when reigning Ballon d'Or Bonmati struck in the 113th minute, surprising the usually reliable German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger at her near post. It was not one of Barcelona star Bonmati's most influential performances, yet she still delivered when it mattered to keep Spain on course to win their first European Championship crown. "We knew that the goalkeeper often leaves her near post open in these situations, so I didn't think twice. I didn't want the game to go to penalties," said a beaming Bonmati. Spain were also grateful to goalkeeper Cata Coll for some vital interventions, including a spectacular double save to deny Klara Buehl and Carlotta Wamser right at the end of normal time, as Germany were agonisingly eliminated. The Spaniards will now face reigning European champions England on Sunday in Basel in what will be a repeat of the 2023 World Cup decider, when La Roja triumphed 1-0 in Sydney. If Montse Tome's side come out on top again, they will become the first nation to hold both the world and European titles at the same time since Germany almost 15 years ago. Spain had never beaten Germany before, and now it advances to its first ever Euro final, with the chance to cement their status as the leading force in international women's football. "We have made history again today, getting to a first Euro final and beating Germany for the first time," said Bonmati. "We are proud to be part of this generation of players, but this is not over yet. We can enjoy this and then tomorrow we need to start thinking about England." Germany, meanwhile, had been hoping to avenge their defeat by England in the last Euro final in 2022, but they will not add to their record tally of eight European Championship victories. "She doesn't have to take responsibility. She made so many wonderful saves to get us where we are," Germany coach Christian Wueck said of goalkeeper Berger. "There is no blame, we are very proud of the team." Spain should have been the fresher of the two sides, having played their quarter-final against hosts Switzerland a day before Germany got the better of France on penalties after playing almost the whole game with 10 players. Tale of two goalkeepers Germany were also missing three starters from that match, with Kathrin Hendrich and Sjoeke Nuesken suspended while right-back Sarai Linder was injured. Wueck's team did unsurprisingly have the majority of the 22,432 crowd behind them at Zurich's Letzigrund Stadium, and they also had Berger in goal. A star of the win over France, she made a fine save to keep out a shot from Spain's Esther Gonzalez -- her teammate at Gotham FC in the United States -- just before the midway point in the first half, tipping the ball over for a corner. Spain captain Irene Paredes headed against the post from a Claudia Pina corner and Gonzalez was again denied by Berger before half-time. It was then Germany's turn to have the best chances in the second half, but Coll made a crucial block from Buehl just after the hour mark, and the Bayern Munich star also curled a free-kick just wide late on. Then came the stunning double save from Coll right at the end of the allotted four minutes of injury time, as the Barcelona goalkeeper kept out a deflected Buehl shot that was looping in and quickly got up to stop Wamser's follow-up. That was a sign that it would not be Germany's night, and they then saw defender Sophia Kleinherne come off in tears early in extra time after overstretching while trying to stop Salma Paralluelo going clean through on goal. Spain's winner eventually came, as Bonmati let a ball from Athenea del Castillo run past her in the area before beating Berger with a shot from a tight angle. There was still time for Coll to excel again, flying to her left to save from Lea Schueller as Spain held on.
Jordan Times
3 days ago
- Jordan Times
Rashford 'at home' at Barca after sealing loan from Man United
BARCELONA — Marcus Rashford said his new club Barcelona already "feels like home" after the Spanish champions loaned the attacker from Manchester United on Wednesday with a future purchase option. "Barcelona and Manchester United have reached a deal for the loan of the player Marcus Rashford until June 30, 2026," announced the La Liga champions in a statement. "The agreement also establishes an option to buy the English forward." Barcelona are paying around 75 per cent of Rashford's £325,000-a-week wage ($435,000) while he is at the club, with the player foregoing the rest, according to Spanish reports. The 27-year-old England international was out of favour under United coach Ruben Amorim and spent the final months of the 2024/25 season on loan at Aston Villa. "I feel like my choice was easy, it's a family club, something I'm used to from my past. It feels like home so I feel like I've made the right decision," Rashford told reporters. "I'm just excited to get going and I'm eager to play the first game... it's a special moment for me." Rashford, who made his United debut in 2015, became an outcast at Old Trafford, with Amorim publically doubting his commitment and desire. Despite falling out of favour at his boyhood club, Rashford explained he would not criticise the Red Devils. "The situation with United is that the club is in a period of change and they have been for a while, I don't have anything bad to say about Manchester United," explained Rashford. "I think it's been an important part of not only my career but just my life. I'm grateful for the opportunity to play for them. Football is the same as life and not everything goes as simple as you may have thought. "This is my next step, my next chapter. I'm fully focused on this and trying to improve myself and help the team win trophies." Rashford will take the number 14 shirt at Barcelona, formerly worn by Thierry Henry among others. "To wear this shirt is an honour and I'm ready to do my best," said Rashford. "The club is built on winning and I'm here to try and add to this history." 'Ready' for anything In May, Barca coach Hansi Flick said Rashford and Liverpool winger Luis Diaz were "fantastic players" amid transfer links to both, with the club keen to reinforce on the left flank, and also tried to sign Nico Williams. Last season the Catalans were irresistible in attack, winning a domestic treble, but had little in the way of back up for key wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. Rashford could also offer cover for veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who turns 37 in August. "I'm ready for whatever challenges may come, and I'm going to enjoy the ups and the downs, the positives, the negatives," said Rashford. "I'm ready for whatever is to come with this club." Rashford, who came through Manchester United's academy, last played for the Premier League club in December, scoring 138 goals in 426 appearances for the Red Devils. At Aston Villa he managed four goals in 17 games before a hamstring injury cut his season short in April. Barcelona had trouble registering signings last season with La Liga, including midfielder Dani Olmo, and according to reports may need to find ways to balance the books before registering Rashford and their first summer arrival, goalkeeper Joan Garcia. "Regardless of what happens in the next season, I'm not going to regret my decision," said Rashford. Few British players have joined Barcelona since the 1980s, when Gary Lineker, Steve Archibald and Mark Hughes all played for the club. Lineker scored 52 goals for Barca during three years at the club and asked if he could emulate the forward, Rashford said "I hope so." "Of course, it would be good for me to score lots of goals, and be the highest scoring British player to play for Barcelona, but it's more important to me that we win," he added.
Ammon
3 days ago
- Ammon
Atletico Madrid to sign defender David Hancko after Al-Nassr reportedly backs out
Ammon News - Atletico Madrid has reached a deal to sign David Hancko after the defender reportedly was turned away by Al-Nassr when he arrived at the Saudi team's training camp. Atletico said on Wednesday it has an agreement with Dutch club Feyenoord for the transfer of the Slovak player. The deal was pending a medical, and financial details were not disclosed. Spanish and Dutch media said Feyenoord had originally reached an agreement with Al-Nassr for Hancko's transfer, but the Saudi team — where Cristiano Ronaldo plays — reportedly backed away at the last minute. The defender had already arrived in Austria, where Al-Nassr was training, but was told there by Al-Nassr that the deal fell apart. Atletico, which finished third in the La Liga last season, has been boosting its squad in recent weeks. It signed 22-year-old right back Marc Pubill from Almeria, 24-year-old Argentina international Thiago Almada from Brazilian club Botafogo, midfielder Álex Baena from Villarreal and 22-year-old Italian left back Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta. Sport Star
