Rashford is a bargain for Barcelona

After years of struggling in crisis, Marcus Rashford is reviving strongly at Barcelona - where he is seen smiling again and playing with the mentality of a player finding himself again.

Rashford has been shining consistently recently.

At the age of 27, the English striker has not only regained his form but also found the joy of playing football again, something that Old Trafford no longer brought him in his final years.

Leaving Manchester to find myself

Perhaps no one will forget Rashford’s first days at Manchester United. In 2016, the young man from Carrington stepped onto the field and immediately scored a double in two consecutive debut matches, becoming a symbol of new hope. But then time, pressure and internal turmoil at the “Theatre of Dreams” gradually wore him down.

From a once-bright talent, Rashford has become the target of criticism – not only for his inconsistent form but also for his alleged lack of focus. The shadow of expectations, combined with the burden of being a spiritual leader, has made him lose the freedom and spontaneity that are his greatest strengths.

Last season, a short loan spell at Aston Villa helped Rashford regain some of his inspiration, and it was those performances that prompted Barcelona to make a move. Leaving Manchester United this summer, Rashford knew he needed a new environment to regenerate. And Camp Nou - where Hansi Flick is rebuilding a youthful, open-minded Barca - opened up the perfect opportunity for him.

Since arriving in Catalonia, Rashford seems to have been freed from all psychological constraints. He is no longer the “son of Manchester” who has to shoulder the responsibility of saving the team, but a link in a group that knows how to share. Hansi Flick does not impose, but gives Rashford freedom in his movements, encouraging him to play instinctively - something he did so well in his twenties.

Rashford quickly integrated with Barcelona.

As a result, after just 12 games, Rashford has scored 5 goals and assisted 6, averaging 1.24 goal involvements per 90 minutes - a rate that far exceeds the 0.68 he averaged in 426 games for Manchester United. That's not just a statistic, it's proof that he's reliving his best days.

The 6-1 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League was the clearest proof. While Fermin Lopez shone with a hat-trick and Hansi Flick used 7 La Masia players, Rashford still knew how to steal the spotlight with a classy double. He moved flexibly, coordinating rhythmically with Pedri, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal - names that only a few months ago, few people thought he could integrate so quickly.

Faith is restored

At Barcelona, ​​Rashford found something he had lost: confidence. Coach Hansi Flick saw in his student not only a speedy striker, but also a player who understood modern football, capable of sacrificing for his teammates. And Rashford, after years of pressure at Old Trafford, now plays with a constant smile on his face - an image that English fans once missed.

Interestingly, despite coming as a “loan player”, Rashford is the leader of Barcelona in terms of goal contributions (11), surpassing both Lamine Yamal (8) and Ferran Torres (6). That form makes the 30 million euro buyout clause in the contract between Barca and Man United become the “bargain” of the summer.

Rashford helps Barca's attack become more fearsome.

Rashford’s career has been a roller coaster of light and darkness. He has been hailed as a symbol of Manchester pride, then booed by his own fans for lackluster performances. But football has a way of redeeming itself, and Barcelona did what Manchester United no longer had the patience to do: give Rashford time and trust.

Now, Rashford doesn’t just score goals – he inspires. In the stands, the applause for Rashford is not because he is English, but because he lives the beautiful, simple, pure football.

El Clasico this weekend will be the next test. Hansi Flick can continue to use Rashford as a striker, where he not only plays the finishing role but also stretches the opposition defence to create space for Yamal and Pedri. If he continues this form, not only Barcelona but all of Europe will have to admit: Marcus Rashford is back, more mature, more clinical and more dangerous than ever.

In the world of football, not everyone gets the chance to be reborn at the top. Rashford has found that place - not in his hometown of Manchester, but at Camp Nou - where he can be himself again.

Source: https://znews.vn/rashford-la-mon-hoi-cua-barcelona-post1595977.html