Marcus Rashford pays gratitude to Man Utd after Barcelona loan move

The England international completed the switch to the Camp Nou on Wednesday, with the Catalan giants securing an option to make the deal permanent for next season. Rashford, 27, joins up with Hansi Flick's side ahead of their preseason tour of Asia, where he'll wear the No. 14 shirt.

Rashford came through the youth ranks at United and made his senior debut in 2015. Over nearly a decade with the first team, he amassed 426 appearances and scored 138 goals, placing him 13th on the club's all-time scoring list.

But after falling out of favour under new manager Ruben Amorim, Rashford was loaned to Aston Villa in the second half of the 2024–25 campaign. He impressed with 10 goal involvements in 17 matches, yet a permanent move to Villa Park never materialised.

Upon returning to Old Trafford this summer, Rashford was informed he remained outside Amorim's plans and was subsequently training away from the first-team squad.

Speaking to the media during his Barcelona unveiling, Rashford struck a respectful tone regarding his departure.

"The situation with United is the club is in a period of change, and they have been for a while. I don't have anything bad to say about Manchester United," he said. "It's been an important part of not only my career but my life, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to play for them."

"But football is like life - not everything goes how you imagined. This is my next chapter, and I'm fully focused on improving and helping the team win trophies."

Rashford, who remains in England contention heading into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, now begins a pivotal stage in his career. Barcelona, under Flick, are undergoing a rebuild of their own, and the forward will be hoping a strong campaign in La Liga can reignite both his club and international form.

Despite the abrupt ending to his United chapter, Rashford made it clear there's no lingering resentment.

"I just wish them all the best and hope they're successful in the future."