Marcus Rashford tipped for Barcelona start despite low-key England impact

Feargal Brennan

Marcus Rashford tipped for Barcelona start despite low-key England impact image

Barcelona restart their La Liga campaign at home to Valencia on September 14 at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Following the latest setback, Hansi Flick's side will not return to their redeveloped Camp Nou home until at least the end of the month, with seven points gained from three away games so far.

A draw at Rayo Vallecano ahead of the international break was a bump in the road and Flick has some injury concerns ahead of hosting Los Che.

Frenkie de Jong was forced to pull out of the Netherlands squad, and is a major doubt to start, with Marc Bernal, Gavi and Alejandro Balde all facing late checks.

The demands of two games in quick succession with their national sides could impact Flick's thinking with reports from Diario AS indicating Raphinha will be rested from the start.

The La Blaugrana No.11 played 140 out of 180 minutes in Brazil's two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including a home win over Chile and defeat in Bolivia.

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Qualification had already been secured and Raphinha's exploits could mean a start for Marcus Rashford despite a mixed showing for England.

Marcus Rashford attempts a shot during Barcelona's game against Daegu

Rashford was withdrawn after 70 minutes in the 2-0 home win over Andorra, and scored a penalty off the bench in a 5-0 victory in Serbia, with Thomas Tuchel on the brink of qualification.

Flick rotated Rashford in the first three games, with one start and two substitute appearances, but the fit-again Robert Lewandowski looks set to start in the central attacking spot.

A place on the left of Barcelona's attack could offer Rashford a key chance to kickstart his time in Catalonia as the Manchester United loanee chases a first goal in Spanish football.

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Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.