Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has made a bold claim on Marcus Rashford’s move from Manchester United to Barcelona, saying that his response to a sharp message from Barcelona has helped get the best out of him.

Rashford joined Barcelona last summer on a season-long loan. So far, he has impressed at the LaLiga club, registering 23 goal contributions in 37 appearances across competitions.

Writing in his column for The Sun, Deeney claimed Barcelona gave Rashford a reality check after what he described as a difficult period at Manchester United. He stressed that the environment at Barca leaves little room for ego, insisting that nobody gives a f**k about Rashford’s reputation.

“Walking away from a club where he was a huge figure, the message at Barcelona will have been stark: ‘We don’t give a f*** about Marcus Rashford, we had Lionel Messi here not long ago. They don’t care what he thinks or what he wears or does – he is there to prove himself worthy of playing for that club.”

He added:

“It shows you cannot have it your own way… You bend to Barcelona or you don’t play. Barcelona have now laid out to Rashford that ‘this is how we do things around here’. If you fall in line, the rewards will came– you’ll play for Barcelona, score goals and go to the World Cup with England.”

Rashford came through the ranks at Manchester United. However, he fell out of favour with then-manager Ruben Amorim, forcing his move away from Old Trafford. However, it remains unclear if the England international will stay at Barca beyond this season, with his loan deal set to run out this summer.