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The Sun
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Marcus Rashford is a brilliant signing but Man Utd star needs to earn his spot, says Barcelona legend
MARCUS RASHFORD has been backed to do 'something big' at Barcelona - by none other than the legendary Rivaldo. The England forward, 27, secured his 'dream' move when the Catalan giants confirmed he had joined season-long loan with a £26m buy option from Manchester United. 4 4 4 4 And Brazilian Rivaldo, one of the greatest to ever grace the Nou Camp pitch, believes it's a 'brilliant signing' - though he warned it might take him a while to hit top gear under Hansi Flick. The Ballon d'Or winner, who fired the Samba Boys to World Cup glory in 2002, told Betfair: 'He's got everything it takes to shine, especially with the top manager he'll have by his side, that will really help with his development. 'On top of that, with the quality of Barca's squad, the environment is ideal. Being in a different league to the Premier League, he'll have more opportunities, more chances to showcase his football and do something big there. 'He's a fantastic player, no doubt about it and I think he'll make a real impact. Definitely a brilliant signing.' Rashford's Old Trafford future was deemed practically over when the club handed his No10 shirt to new signing Matheus Cunha. And he had been looking for a new home after falling out with Ruben Amorim leading to him spending the second half of last term at Aston Villa and being forced to train away from the first-team at Carrington. Rivaldo said: '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. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'Barcelona had a great season last year, so it's normal for him to start off on the bench. "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. Barcelona fans welcome Rashford with incredible mural 'He's a hugely talented player — he's already proven that in one of the toughest leagues in the world. He's also an international. So, I fully expect him to earn a place in Barca's starting XI and re-establish himself as a regular in the England squad too.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside Marcus Rashford's five-star welcome to Barcelona: Man United exile given VIP treatment at £156-per-head restaurant visited by Barack Obama and Steven Spielberg
Marcus Rashford celebrated his loan move to Barcelona by dining out with the club's president Joan Laporta and other members of the board at one of the city's most exclusive restaurants on Wednesday night. The 27-year-old forward, who has been pursuing an escape from Manchester United since his six-month loan spell at Aston Villa came to an end earlier this summer, finally got his wish by teaming up with LaLiga giants Barcelona on Monday. The loan agreement also allows Barcelona to sign Rashford on a permanent deal next summer for a fee in the region of £30million. Given a five-star welcome by the Catalan giants, Rashford was wined and dined at exclusive £156-per-head Amar restaurant in Barcelona, with 18 people attending the dinner. Rock icon Bruce Springsteen, former USA president Barack Obama and esteemed film director Steven Spielberg are among the famous faces to have dined at the luxury brasserie. Dishes of tuna belly, prawns, crab cannelloni and 'mongetes' from Santa Pau were served to the table, with Rashford and Co offered an opportunity to sample a variety of delicacies. The group, according to Spanish outlet El Periodico, completed the feast with wagyu meat and Galician blonde, before having the restaurant's famous cheesecake for dessert. After the meal, Rashford and Laporta posed for a photograph with the chefs, waiting staff and sommeliers, both beaming at their excitement over the new chapter. Speaking at his unveiling as a Barcelona player, Rashford expressed his delight at signing for the Spanish giants and said it will be a 'joy' to play for the club. 'I am very excited, I think it's a club where people's dreams come true,' Rashford said. 'What the club stands for means a lot to me as well and it feels like I'm at home, and this is a big factor in my choice. It's a family club people are comfortable here and it's a good place for people to show their skills. 'I try to make decisive actions and fast dynamic plays and I always like good football so I've always been a fan of watching Barcelona from a young age. 'It's going to be a joy for me to play here and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.' 'I am definitely full of excitement and hunger to go out and try an help the team win. It's all smiles for Rashford at the Nou Camp - both at his unveiling and during training sessions It marks a drastic change from his last few months at Manchester United, where he has been placed in Ruben Amorim's five-man bomb squad following a loan spell at Aston Villa 'They won so much last year and I can see the ambition is to do better than last year. 'As a player that's what you want to hear, it keeps you improving year on year and that's what you need to be the best version of yourself.' Rashford added that he had 'very positive' talks with Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, who he described as one of the games' 'top coaches'. The Manchester United exile, who had been placed alongside fellow outcasts Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho in Ruben Amorim's five-man summer bomb squad, looked like a man reborn after touching down in Spain to complete his move. Rashford, set to wear No 14 at the Nou Camp, was pictured grinning in training alongside Spanish superstar Lamine Yamal - and several fans even claimed he had enjoyed a 'glow-up' after being pictured at his unveiling. Rashford is understood to have taken 15 per cent pay cut from his £315,000-a-week Man United wage to join Barcelona. During his successful loan stint at Aston Villa, he scored three goals and contributed four assists across all competitions as Unai Emery 's side reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎥 Go behind the scenes of Marcus Rashford's first day at Barcelona
Barcelona finally have some fresh attacking talent with Marcus Rashford's arrival. The England international completed a loan move to Hansi Flick's side on Wednesday from Manchester United following several tumultuous years. But what did Rashford's first day with the Spanish champions look like? Well, wonder no more. Will the Blaugrana's new no.14 help them successfully defend LaLiga? 📸 JOSEP LAGO - AFP or licensors
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Marcus Rashford reveals why he was willing to wait for Barcelona move
Marcus Rashford has officially joined Barcelona on a loan deal until June 2026, with a non-mandatory purchase option set at approximately €30m. During his unveiling, Rashford expressed his long-held desire to play for Barcelona and his readiness for this new chapter in his career. He will wear the iconic number 14 shirt, previously donned by Johan Cruyff and Thierry Henry, acknowledging the significant responsibility it carries. Rashford becomes only the second English player to represent Barcelona, following Gary Lineker, and aims to surpass Lineker's goal-scoring record at the club. The English forward highlighted his ambition to win major trophies, including the Champions League, and credited manager Hansi Flick for his move to the club.
BreakingNews.ie
6 hours ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Marcus Rashford says Barcelona ‘feels like home' after completing loan move
Marcus Rashford said Barcelona 'feels like home' after joining the LaLiga champions on loan as he refused to criticise Manchester United. Rashford has become the first of United's five wantaway players to find a way out of Old Trafford, landing the move he has desired since January when he instead joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season. Advertisement 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 at 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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement 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.' 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. Advertisement 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.
