Marcus Rashford has found a new lease of life at Barcelona.
After falling out with Ruben Amorim at the end of last season, Rashford was forced to consider a future away from United.
He joined Aston Villa on loan in January and impressed during his spell, but just as he began to find his footing at Villa Park, he suffered a season-ending injury.
Even so, 10 goal contributions in 17 appearances for the Villans marked a strong return.
While United could have reintegrated him into Amorim’s squad over the summer, they chose not to.
That decision opened the door for him to push for a move to Barcelona.
At Barca, given the attacking options already at Hansi Flick’s disposal, many expected Rashford to play second fiddle.
But he has not. Drawing on his technical brilliance and experience, Rashford has worked his way into Flick’s line-up.
He has seized his opportunities under Flick and proven his mettle.
In 10 appearances, the Mancunian has registered three goals and five assists, an impressive return indeed.
At Barcelona, Rashford looks like he belongs. His resurgence has even prompted Flick to consider building his attack around him.
Following back-to-back defeats: a 2–1 loss to PSG in the Champions League and a 4–1 loss to Sevilla in La Liga, the Barca technical bench believes something needs to change.
Rashford the striker
“One consideration for the manager and his assistants is to place Marcus Rashford in the number 9 position,” Mundo Deportivo revealed, outlining the bold tactical switch Flick is contemplating to get his side back on track.
Minor obstacles
Injuries may delay the debut of this tactical tweak, as the Spanish outlet went on to explain:
“For this possibility to happen, the Barca coach must first have Raphinha on the left wing, Lamine Yamal on the right, and Fermin in the attacking midfield.
“Given that all three are injured—although they are expected to be in the squad for the match against Girona next Saturday, October 18—if all of them cannot start against Míchel’s team at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Flick could consider using that forward line for the next match, when Barca face Olympiacos in the third round of the Champions League, also to be played at Montjuïc on Wednesday the 21st.”
Bigger picture: El Clasico
Still, it is a tactical plan Flick appears hell-bent on implementing, believing it could be a game-changer in the looming clash with Real Madrid:
“It would be a dress rehearsal for the Clásico against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu on the 26th.”
Criticised for their recent approach to games, Barca believe this tactical switch could help them rediscover the pressing intensity that powered last season’s domestic treble.
For Rashford, the hope is that this new role positions him to continue soaring in Spain and ultimately be the Robert Lewandowski heir Barca are desperate to find.
Featured image Fran Santiago via Getty Images
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Daniel Onguko
Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.
