Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona adventure is not going to plan. The England forward arrived on loan from Manchester United in July, with hopes of reviving his career away from Old Trafford.
But less than two months later, questions are already being asked at Camp Nou about whether he belongs in the famous Blaugrana shirt.
Barcelona pushed hard to get him registered with La Liga before the season began. He looked sharp in training and even showed flashes in pre-season.
Fans thought they might see the Rashford who once terrorized Premier League defenses. Instead, his early performances have left many in Spain worried.
The 27-year-old has played in all three of Barcelona’s opening league matches. But he was substituted at halftime against Levante on August 23 with the team 2-0 down.
His impact has been described as minimal, and the club hierarchy are reportedly frustrated.
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Patience running thin at Camp Nou for Rashford
According to reports (via El Nacional), club leaders are already weighing up sending him back to Manchester United.
Rashford’s displays have been called “lost,” and some feel he has not shown the urgency needed to secure his place in Hansi Flick’s system.
President Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco were never fully convinced by the move, as they had preferred other attacking targets like Nico Williams and Luis Díaz.
For Flick, however, Rashford was a gamble worth taking. The coach believed he could help the forward rediscover his best form, much like he has done with Robert Lewandowski and others.
But Barcelona’s fans have little patience, and they want to see results quickly. With Rashford turning 28 in October, time is not exactly on his side.
Barcelona face Valencia next on September 14. Whether Rashford will be part of the starting lineup is unclear. One thing is certain: if he fails to improve soon, the “Barca-lona” journey might end far earlier than expected.
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