Barcelona coach Hansi Flick explains secret to Marcus Rashford's red-hot form

The England international joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United in the summer of 2025, on a deal that runs until June 2026.

Since arriving in Spain, Rashford has contributed six goals and seven assists in 16 appearances, already matching his total goal involvements from the entire 2023-24 season.

Flick has been impressed by how quickly Rashford has adapted. "I followed his whole career," he said. "I was always struck by his quality in the box, he has shown that here at Barcelona. Coming to a different culture, with great people and lovely weather, now he's smiling a lot more.

"If he enjoys the atmosphere, that's very good for us."

The German coach also noted Rashford had recently recovered from a cold but was back to full fitness, and in his squad thinking. "I'm very happy to have him in the team," Flick added.

Barcelona will be in Champions League action tonight when they travel to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Rashford's form at Barca is also putting him back in the conversation for England, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. Under Flick, he has become a key creative force, not just a goal-scorer.

His early performances in Europe have turned heads. Rashford has four goal contributions in the Champions League, placing him among the competition's leading English attackers.

That kind of output only strengthens his case for regular England call-ups.

Rashford admitted after a recent win: "I try to give my best, I could have done better, and I promise to improve, this is Barca, and the demands must always be at their highest."

For Barcelona, the gamble is paying off, and for Rashford, it may be the career reboot he's long needed.