Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on loan from Man United during the summer window – and he has helped the Catalan giants to the top of the La Liga table
Marcus Rashford was all smiles as he shared a moment with Antony ahead of Barcelona’s clash against Real Betis. The former Manchester United pair came up against each other as Rashford’s side moved four points clear at the top of the La Liga table.
The two shared a warm embrace in the tunnel before the game at Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla. Ferran Torres scored a first-half hat-trick to help fire Barcelona to a 5-3 victory.
However, the Catalan giants were handed a scare when former United man Antony put the hosts ahead. But Torres, who was preferred up front to Robert Lewandowski, scored three times, with Roony Bardghji also on target as Barca went 4-1 up at half-time.
Lamine Yamal then scored from the penalty spot just before the hour mark. And although Diego Llorente and Cucho Hernandez struck late on, the damage was already done.
Rashford completed a season-long loan move to the Spanish giants during the summer transfer window. The deal includes an option for the La Liga leaders to sign him outright at the end of the season for around £26million.
The forward’s career at Old Trafford appeared over when Ruben Amorim claimed he would rather put his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach on the bench than the forward because of what he considers a lack of effort. After showing flashes of what he can do in the second half of last season while on loan at Aston Villa, Rashford has impressed for the Catalan side.
In an interview with Barca’s YouTube channel back in October, Rashford revealed he’s loving life in Spain. He said: “I’m really enjoying my time in Spain. The weather is the best part. It’s a very big change. I’m learning every day, I’m really enjoying it.
“I hope to be here for a long time. I get along really well with Roony [Bardghji], as well as Jules [Kounde] and Frenkie [De Jong]. It’s a team where we all blend together. We’re united.
“The team is fantastic. I just have to be in the right position. I’ll keep trying to do this. We have to keep going like this to be our best. We have a lot more to do this season.”
He then continued: “I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game so to play here is an honour.
“I just believe that things happen when they’re supposed to happen. It’s not the first time I spoke with Barcelona about potentially coming here, but for whatever reasons it didn’t happen in the past, and now is my opportunity to make it happen.
“I feel like there’s no time like the present now. People forget this, but 23 years of my life was with Manchester United. So sometimes you just need a change.
“I think maybe this is the case with me and yeah, I’m enjoying everything. I don’t feel there is much change in me, I just feel it’s a new environment and culture and one I looked forward to coming here. It’s just about me adapting and fitting in as well as possible. I’m so hungry to keep improving.”
