
Marcus Rashford says Barcelona ‘feels like home' after completing loan move
Barca's agreement includes an option to make the deal permanent. That clause is reported to be 35million euros (£30.3million) and PA understands the deal sees Barcelona cover Rashford's wages for the campaign.
'I want to win the biggest trophies and feel like Barcelona is a huge club in the football world so it is the perfect place,' Rashford said in a press conference.
'You see with the team last season, they have a young ambitious team and I want to add my qualities, my personality, improve the team and help them win…
'(It was) not difficult. I was clear on my preference from the beginning. Actually from maybe in January. It didn't work out in January so I went to Aston Villa and enjoyed a good period there. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to play there.
'The summer came around very quickly, it was time to make another decision. My choice was easy. It's a family club, something I'm used to from my past.
'It feels like home. I feel I made the right decision. I'm excited to get going and eager to play the first game in front of the fans.'
The 27-year-old came through the ranks at United but has not added to his 426 first-team appearances for the club since being hauled off in a Europa League match away to Viktoria Plzen on December 12.
Rashford has been training away from Amorim's first-team squad (Martin Rickett/PA)
Along with Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia, Rashford had been training away from Ruben Amorim's first-team squad since pre-season began as they explored their options in the transfer market.
Asked about United during his unveiling in Barcelona, Rashford said: 'The situation with United is 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 as it has been an important part not only in my career but my life.
'I was grateful for the opportunity to play for them. But football is like life – not everything goes as simply as you thought and this is my next chapter. I'm fully focused on this and trying to improve myself and helping the team win trophies.
'I don't have anything bad to say about United. I wish them all the best and hope they are successful in the future.'
🗞️ Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on a season-long loan.
Best of luck, Marcus 👊
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 23, 2025
Rashford departs 23rd in United's all-time appearance list and as their 15th-highest scorer with 138 goals, having notched a brace on his February 2016 debut against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.
He won five major trophies with his boyhood club and was crowned their player of the year in 2022-23 after scoring a career-high 30 goals, which saw him rewarded with a reported £325,000-a-week deal until 2028.
The Premier League club said: 'Everyone at Manchester United wishes Marcus good luck for the season.'
Rashford, who scored 17 goals in 62 England appearances, will hope the move boosts his chances of going to next summer's World Cup.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Marcus Rashford, 27, 'is BACK with ex-fiancee' Lucia, 26, two years after split - as she 'joins him in Barcelona to help him settle' after Man United exit
Marcus Rashford's summer continues to go from strength to strength after his reported reunion with his former fiancee two years after their split. The former Manchester United forward completed a season-long loan move to Barcelona this week, joining the Catalan club after breathing new life into his career on loan at Aston Villa last season. There had been doubt over his on-field future after Villa opted against signing him permanently and he was made part of Manchester United's 'Bomb Squad', but Barcelona swooped and Rashford didn't look back. Now, his a boost in his personal life is said to have followed his positive career change, with The Sun reporting that he is back with childhood sweetheart Lucia, 26. The outlet reports that Rashford, 27, asked Lucia to help him settle in Spain, providing a calming influence he felt he needed. The duo are said to have been together during a photoshoot before his unveiling at Barca. It comes two years after the couple split, having got engaged a year prior. The England footballer got engaged in May 2022 but the two went their separate ways a matter of months later It is reported that Lucia joined Rashford in Barcelona, taking the forward's photo and then checking his outfit before he posed beside a traditional red phone box for his announcement video. In the video, Rashford could be seen emerging, saying: 'Hello? Barca? For sure, I'm coming.' In June 2023, a source said that Rashford and Lucia felt 'the relationship ran its course', with the pair remaining 'very close friends'. It came as the then-Manchester United player, then 25, was since been spotted partying with a number of girls on a night out in Miami, Florida, and was seen returning with one of the group to his hotel at 5am in pictures obtained by The Sun. The sportsman jetted out to the Sunshine State this week and is said to have enjoyed the company of a number of bikini-clad women by the pool. A source told MailOnline of the split: 'Marcus and Lucia haven't been together for a number of months. It's nothing complicated; the relationship ran its course and they remain very close friends, and have a lot of mutual respect for one another.' 'Marcus is laser-focused on the next phase of his football career and is putting all of his focus in to that. He is about to come back to the UK after a successful trip coaching kids in Miami, and heads to England's training camp this week.' Rashford proposed on a postseason getaway in California after had been dating since the age of 15 when they were pupils at Ashton on Mersey school in Greater Manchester. Marcus had been planning the proposal for weeks and popped the question to Lucia at a lavish villa after they shared a romantic meal at celebrity seafood restaurant Catch LA, a source told The Sun. 'They went out in LA for a romantic night together on Tuesday and he proposed. It was extremely romantic. 'They celebrated afterwards with a group of close friends — including his United teammate Jesse Lingard,' the source said. Marcus shared news of the engagement on Instagram, posting an image of the pair embracing as they stood atop a bed of white roses in front of a heart-shaped archway. Another source said: 'All involved are thrilled at the recent news of the engagement,' and spoke of Lucia's influence on the Premier League star, who has received plaudits for his charitable work off the field but has struggled to perform on it since having shoulder surgery. 'Lucia has been a big part of Marcus' life... offering stability, a sense of belonging and assurance that can be rare to find,' the source told The Sun. The high school sweethearts had been together for eight years when difficulties associated with the Covid pandemic triggered a split. But the pair confirmed they had reunited in January 2022, just months before they got engaged, and their relationship is now reportedly back on track. Rashford fell out of favour at United after being criticised by current manager Ruben Amorim On the field, Rashford was banished from United by manager Ruben Amorim after the England star's work rate was called into question. He did not play for United again and joined Villa on loan, who opted to not make his move permanent and send him back to Manchester. Barcelona have the option to make his move permanent next summer for a fee in the region of £26millon.


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd ‘bomb squad' outcasts could STAY at club as Amorim says club won't be held to ransom over Sancho, Garnacho & Co
PRICE IS RIGHT Man Utd 'bomb squad' outcasts could STAY at club as Amorim says club won't be held to ransom over Sancho, Garnacho & Co Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUBEN AMORIM opened the door to a way back for his Manchester United 'Bomb Squad' as he told Prem scavengers: We won't be held to ransom. Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia were all left behind when Amorim and his squad flew out to Chicago for the US leg of their pre-season campaign. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Ruben Amorim opened the door to a way back for his Manchester United 'Bomb Squad' Credit: Getty United landed as Marcus Rashford was completing his loan move to Barcelona but Amorim warned rivals they cannot lure any of the quartet on the cheap - and that they will be reintegrated into the United fold if deals are not done. Amorim said: 'I know for a fact that the club have a number, a price, for these players. 'If other clubs don't reach that number, they will be Manchester United players, no doubts about that. 'I understand that these clubs are maybe waiting for the last minute to put in bids. READ MORE ON MAN UTD Man Utd files Amorim considers shock striker deal as bankrupt legend is given busy schedule 'But if they try, they will be on for a surprise.' He added: 'There were different reasons for the situations of these players. 'Some of them have to find a new place to have more space in the team, other players clearly show that they want a new challenge, and they want new teams. 'We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide. 4 Jadon Sancho is exploring his options after being iced out by the United hierarchy Credit: Getty Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford 'But if you reach a point that they have to join the team, they will join the team because they are our players and I'm ready to receive them. 'If that happens and they come back to us, they will have more competition. Marcus Rashford back together with ex-fiancee Lucia Loi two years after they split as childhood sweetheart joins him in Barcelona 'But if they want to play in the World Cup this season, they need to play. 'So I'm really happy with that, because I will have more options, and if they have to fight each other to play, I'm just proud of it.' United are keen to offload the other four players to fund new signings, but Amorim insists that the price must be right. Amorim was joined by new £62.5million signing Matheus Cunha as he spoke at Soldier Field in Chicago. United have also signed Bryan Mbeumo to fill the other No.10 spot in his 3-4-2-1 system, but have yet to land a new striker. Amorim insisted that he has options in attack and would be happy going into the season with the squad he has now. He added: 'I think our club, in the moment, need to be really careful when we sign a player. 'So if we have to start the season with this squad, I'm happy. Because all the players that are here want to be here, and that for me is the most important thing. 'If we start the season with this squad, I am happy. We are going to suffer but that feeling of bonding is really important. The spirit is positive." 4


Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Cross or shot? Hibs Euro goal hero reveals all about wonder strike
Second qualifying round tie finely balanced at 1-1 ahead of Easter Road return leg Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs Europa League goal hero Jamie McGrath insists he was DEFINITELY aiming for goal with his wonder free-kick that earned David Gray's men a battling 1-1 draw away to Midtjylland. And the Irishman has warned his team-mates that their European fates can turn in the blink of an eye, as they prepare to welcome the dangerous Danes to Easter Road for the second leg next week. McGrath's early opener caught Midtjylland keeper Jonas Lossl napping, the veteran goalie left out of position and unable to prevent the attacking midfielder's delivery – from way, way out on the left wing – swinging in and over the line at the near post. The home side at the MCH Arena equalised with a late free-kick of their own, with the help of a minor deflection. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Keeper caught out by audacious effort McGrath, part of the Aberdeen team who saw a 2-2 away draw with BK Hacken blown away by a 3-1 home loss to the Swedes at precisely this stage of Europa League qualifying two seasons ago, laughed in response to gaffer Gray joking that his strike on goal had been intended as a cross, saying: 'Me and Jordan Obita stood over the ball, and we just had a brief chat. We kind of spotted the keeper cheating a little bit. 'I was like: 'Yes, I'll whip it in to the near post.' Worst case scenario, keeper catches it, but best case, we obviously scored.' David Gray's men seek improvement in return leg Insisting that Hibs will have to up their performance levels to progress to the third qualifying round at Midtjylland's expense with a home win next Thursday night, McGrath said: 'Yes, of course. It's only halfway, both teams feeling each other out as well. 'It's going to be a completely different game next week as well. We know that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We can't get too high or too low. We have to address it the same way as we addressed it this week. 'But we have that little edge with the home fans on our side next week. A quick mention to the travelling fans, they were unbelievable. 'We sensed it on the drive to the stadium; you see them all outside the window. They got here early, and that buzz in the warm-up kind of spurred us on as well. 'We know they spent a lot of money and time coming over here. It was nice to give them a bit of a result to go back to Scotland next week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Early alarm call from travelling Hibs fans 'Yeah, there were a few in the hotel waking us up! You could hear them outside the window all day. 'I don't know if there's much to do around here, but they've been brilliant. Hopefully they'll have a good night tonight and get back safe tomorrow. 'Like I said, Easter Road will be jammed next week. I'm really looking forward to it now.' Aberdeen experience shows danger of Euro foes Referencing his own experience with the Dons against Hacken, McGrath cautioned: 'That's the thing, Europe can change in the flick of a switch. We know we have to address it like we have done this week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We know in Europe if you switch off for a minute you get punished. We're going to have to be on our A game next week to give ourselves a chance to get through. 'But I think overall we defended the box really well. We kind of limited them to a moment of magic that obviously equalised the game. 'I think if we were a little bit tidier on transitions, we could have maybe capitalised on that a bit better, especially in the second half. Martin Boyle was very close to being onside as well. I didn't see it back, but he obviously was offside if VAR gave it. 'But, of course there's positives to be taken from the first leg. We're going back to a home game next week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think that's what we aim to do, is bring it back there. But it's only halfway, we can't get too excited.' As a dead-ball expert himself, you might imagine McGrath to have recognised a fellow connoisseur in Midtjylland scorer Amil Simir. Maybe in time, he'll find something to admire about the opponent's equaliser … 'No, I never admire it,' he said with a grin. 'You're just thinking: 'Oh no!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There wasn't much we could have done about it. Maybe foul the player a bit earlier in that attack. It's always when you look back, you can change different things. 'The pleasing thing was how we defended the box. From the front, I thought we defended really well. The two boys up top worked their socks off and the boys that came in as well carried on the trend. 'I think probably a draw was a fair result. But yeah, they're used to being in the Champions League - so we probably would take a draw going into next week.' McGrath, whose last European goal was a free-kick against PAOK for Aberdeen just under two years ago, had joked on the eve of the Midtjylland game that he needed to contribute something in Denmark – if only to counter the good-natured stick he's taken from team-mates since joining Hibs. Having signed a pre-contract agreement midway through last season, McGrath was then part of the Dons squad who pulled off a shock Scottish Cup win over Celtic – 'stealing' the guaranteed European group stage football prize that would otherwise have gone to Hibs, as third-placed finishers in the Scottish Premiership. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I had to make it up to them some way!' said the former St Mirren star. 'It was obviously a nice start, nice to get my first competitive goal.' 'Yes, my last goal in Europe was a free kick as well. It is a nice trend. Hopefully we get a free kick next week! 'It's obviously nice to help the boys out. Like I said, we started the game brilliantly. 'From the kick-off, we looked threatening. I think they took over a bit towards the end of the first half, but we defended our box brilliantly. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The boys at the back were immense. Smudger (Jordan Smith) in goal as well, he was brilliant all night coming for crosses. 'He tie is still alive. We'll bring it back next week and give ourselves a chance.'