"Could this be the start of Marcus Rashford's redemption?", the Daily Mail asked on 19/9.

Former Manchester United and England player, Dion Dublin, also shared his thoughts, "Rashford worked incredibly hard. He put in a real shift to get that first goal, and the second was magnificent,".

Marcus Rashford (left) celebrates during Barca's 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the Champions League group stage on the evening of 18/9. Photo: AFP

Marcus Rashford (left) celebrates during Barca's 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the Champions League group stage on the evening of 18/9. Photo: AFP

At St James' Park, Rashford scored both goals in Barca's 2-1 win over Newcastle. The English forward opened the scoring in the 56th minute with a sharp header, before doubling the lead with a powerful long-range shot in the 65th minute. These were the 27-year-old's first goals in five appearances for the Spanish club.

Rashford was once a key player at Manchester United. He scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the Red Devils, winning two FA Cups, two League Cups, a Community Shield, and a Europa League title, including 30 goals in the 2022-2023 season.

However, due to disagreements with manager Ruben Amorim, Rashford fell out of favor at Manchester United. In January 2025, the 27-year-old joined Aston Villa on loan, where he scored four goals and provided six assists in 17 matches. This summer, Rashford again left Manchester United on loan, joining Barca for a year with an optional purchase clause of 35 million USD.

Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt, who played under Sir Alex Ferguson, commented on BBC, "If I were Amorim, I'd be thinking, 'What have I done?'. That performance was a testament to Rashford's true ability. Clearly, Manchester United are struggling. When things aren't going well, players need to be loved. Rashford certainly needs an arm around him,".

During the summer transfer window, when informed of the opportunity to sign Rashford, Barca manager Hansi Flick immediately urged the board to pursue the deal. According to Flick, Rashford is not only a good finisher but also a great player overall. The fact that the new English signing has only two goals and one assist in five games might be due to adapting to a new league or perhaps a lack of confidence playing alongside so many top players.

Rashford also acknowledged the challenges of adapting to a different style of football. However, he views it as an opportunity to grow and improve. "Playing for Barca is a fantastic experience," Rashford added. "The quality of my teammates is exciting. I feel very motivated and determined,".

Thanh Quy (according to Daily Mail, BBC)