The latest Man Utd news and opinion as Marcus Rashford shines for FC Barcelona in their Champions League win against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Marcus Rashford scored two goals for Barcelona in their 2-1 win vs Newcastle United in the Champions League.
Marcus Rashford rising to the occasion and producing spell-binding moments of magic in the Champions League. It’s something Manchester United supporters didn’t see enough of during his final few months at Old Trafford and not least because the Reds struggled to qualify for Europe’s elite competition.
Nevertheless, the United academy graduate was the star of the show for Barcelona, scoring a brace vs Newcastle United as Hansi Flick’s side ran out 2-1 winners at St James’ Park. A brilliant, powerful header gave the La Liga team the lead just before the hour-mark, while Rashford then grabbed his second with a super solo finish.
The 27-year-old shifted the ball on to his right foot and rifled it into the back of the net from just outside the 18-yard area, putting Barcelona two goals to the good. A late consolation goal from an England teammate was not enough to ensure a share of the spoils, with Rashford very much the man of the moment.
Speaking on co-commentary after the game, former England international Joe Cole waxed lyrical about Rashford’s performance, with a verdict that hit the nail on the head regarding his time at United under Ruben Amorim.
After being left out of their matchday squad for the clash with Man City last season, Rashford fell out of favour under the Portuguese head coach and spent the second half of last season on loan with Aston Villa. He showed signs of his quality under Unai Emery, before returning to Old Trafford this summer.
Rashford was told he wouldn’t be a part of Amorim’s plans and was part of the ‘bomb squad’ who were told they could leave the club. He’d agree a loan deal with Barcelona, who have the option to make the move a permanent one come the end of the season.
He may have struggled in his first few games in Spain, but tonight was a clear enough sign that Rashford still has the quality to make it at the elite level – and made all the difference on Thursday night.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Cole said: “It’s great to see him do well. The whole story with Marcus Rashford has been fantastic from the start. He became a real icon for the game with everything he does off the pitch.
“What he does on the pitch is superb. When he’s at the top of his game, he can be unstoppable – we’ve just not seen enough nights of it like that.
“It’s great to see him smiling and back at it. When he’s at his best, he’s an England starter. He can be a Barcelona starter and get into any team in the world.
“You just want to see him enjoying his football again. It was great tonight, brilliant from him.”
Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his second goal for Barcelona vs Newcastle. (Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Given that United were struggling in the final third last season, Rashford’s goals would have been a blessing and, let’s be clear, their goals aren’t exactly free flowing at the minute, either. Amorim’s reluctance to move away from his preferred 3-4-3 formation has left United looking void of ideas at key moments this season.
The Portuguese head coach’s stubbornness to shift away from his style of play – and indeed reluctance to build a rapport with Rashford – could see United lose a star who still has so much to give.
“I couldn’t get Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,” Amorim said last season. “Sometimes you have one player that’s really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different.”
However, Barca’s boss Hansi Flick looks to have made a positive first impression on Rashford, who told TNT Sports after the win over Newcastle: “100 per cent, I’m full of excitement. I’m determined, motivated and the quality in the team it’s refreshing.
“The team is so young, they play with such confidence and understanding of the game, here isn’t an easy place to come. I’ve won here a few times where we’ve not played the way we wanted to play, we gave a good account of ourselves and got the three points.
“He’s [Hansi Flick] is a top man, a top coach and he’ll be delighted with not just the three points, but the way we won.”
What a difference it makes when Rashford is enjoying his football.