Marcus Rashford's Barca debut on 23/7/2025. Photo: *Reuters*

Barca has long had their eye on Rashford. According to The Athletic, back in 2019, when he was 21, the Catalan club made an approach but was met with Man Utd's valuation of 135 million USD. Despite the setback, Barca didn't give up.

During the 2022-2023 season, with former Man Utd player Jordi Cruyff as sporting director at Camp Nou, negotiations were restarted, though signing the Carrington academy graduate was seen as nearly impossible.

That same season, during two Europa League knockout matches, then-Barca coach Xavi called Rashford the "most dangerous player" for the team under Erik ten Hag. However, after the Dutch strategist was sacked and Rashford's form declined, his value dropped significantly.

Barca president Joan Laporta told Mundo Deportivo (Spain) that Rashford truly wanted to stay at Old Trafford for life, but with that dream difficult to realize, he had to be pragmatic. Returning to Man Utd after a less-than-successful half-season loan at Aston Villa, scoring 6 goals, Rashford had to relinquish the number 10 shirt to newcomer Matheus Cunha, coupled with a strained relationship with most fans. The signs of his departure were clear, and more than ever, the 27-year-old needed a new environment for a fresh start.

Rashford's arrival at Barca was a result of circumstance; he wasn't their first choice. The club entered the 2025 summer transfer window knowing they needed to strengthen their attack. After failing to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao and Luis Diaz from Liverpool, Sporting Director Deco turned to Rashford.

Williams, 23, was Barca's top target, even reaching a personal agreement, but he unexpectedly decided to sign a 10-year contract extension with his club. Meanwhile, the Diaz deal was hampered by financial constraints and La Liga's 1:1 rule – stipulating Barca could only spend one euro for every euro earned. This context inadvertently opened the door for Rashford, making him an ideal solution: low cost, versatile, and suited to coach Hansi Flick's system.

Last season, the trio of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha propelled Barca to the La Liga title with 102 goals, far surpassing Real Madrid's 78. However, late-season injuries and fatigue, especially Lewandowski's 17-day absence due to a hamstring injury, exposed the squad's lack of depth.

Ansu Fati, loaned to Monaco, and newcomer Pau Victor didn't meet expectations. In the latter part of last season, only Raphinha, Yamal, and Ferran Torres were trusted by the German coach. Now, Flick needs a fast and skillful left winger who can swap positions with Raphinha – often deployed centrally – or replace the Brazilian winger when he needs rest, and Rashford is the answer.

The Englishman's versatility is evident in his ability to play multiple attacking roles, from left wing, central striker, to attacking midfielder. Flick appreciates this, while Deco saw it as a financially viable deal: a loan with no initial transfer fee, with the option for Barca to pay 35 million USD in the future if they decide to buy Rashford outright.

Rashford celebrates after scoring in the Man Utd - Tottenham Premier League match at Old Trafford on 14/1/2024. Photo: *Reuters*

While Barca is still grappling with La Liga's salary cap and couldn't immediately register Rashford alongside other newcomers like Joan Garcia or Roony Bardghji, Rashford's willingness to take a pay cut and his desire to play for Barca convinced the club.

By joining Barca, Rashford will have the chance to play on grand stages like El Clasico, the Champions League, and experience the team's entertaining attacking style under Flick. Playing in Barca's environment will also afford him more time on the ball compared to his loan spell at Villa.

However, opportunity comes with challenges. Barca is a member-owned club where humility and fan connection are paramount. Take Lamine Yamal, for example. Despite being a La Masia product with rare talent, the 18-year-old faced criticism from the Catalan press after his recent lavish birthday party.

The notoriously demanding Catalan media will closely scrutinize Rashford's every move. For comparison, he should look to fellow UK predecessors Mark Hughes and Gary Lineker. Barca's media team had their reasons for choosing Lineker's image for their social media post announcing Rashford.

The former England star embraced learning the language, exploring the region, and building lasting friendships at Barca. Meanwhile, Hughes, who joined Barca around the same time as Lineker, later admitted he came only for the money and couldn't adapt: feeling lonely, isolated, and spending most of his free time sleeping.

Hughes also recounted in his autobiography that the Catalan media made the English press look like "kittens". Once a star at Man Utd, Hughes quickly felt the Catalan press was deliberately turning fans against him to attack the president who approved the deal. Hughes didn't mind what was written in Spanish as he didn't understand the language, but the problem was this information filtered back to the English press, turning everything into a nightmare.

Mark Hughes (left) and Gary Lineker during their Barca presentation under coach Terry Venables in 1986.

English coaches like Terry Venables and Bobby Robson also endured difficult spells at Barca, despite some success, due to factors beyond their control at the most political club in football. However, history remembers them and Lineker fondly.

Another example is Ilkay Gundogan, who despite having an excellent season for Barca, ultimately faced harsh treatment from the Catalan press for his limited interaction with them.

These references mean Rashford needs to learn the language, integrate into Catalan culture, and demonstrate professionalism to win over the fans. Regardless of stature, a lack of professionalism won't be tolerated. Since Gary Neville became Valencia's coach nearly a decade ago, no one transferring from Manchester to the Iberian Peninsula has received as much attention as Rashford.

Living in Barcelona, near the Mediterranean coast, could also be a tonic for Rashford. The city isn't just a football hub but a cultural hotspot, with numerous direct flights from Manchester. English tourists comprise a significant portion of Barca's target market for high-priced match tickets, and over the past decade, aside from Cristiano Ronaldo, no player associated with Man Utd has sold more shirts than Rashford.

Therefore, despite a potentially lower salary at Barca, even if reduced to around 410,000 USD/week according to Transfermarkt, the revenue potential from shirt sales remains promising.

Rashford will have to work hard to reclaim his status. If he seizes this opportunity, he could replicate David Beckham's journey from Man Utd to another Spanish giant, Real Madrid. Beckham's new teammates initially thought he was signed to sell shirts, but quickly came to respect his work ethic.

Smiles were seen on Rashford's face during his first training session with his new teammates. But how long those smiles last depends entirely on him.

Hoang Thong