Barcelona forward offers glimpse of return to form after two months against Real Sociedad | OneFootball

FC Barcelona did not make many moves in the summer. They addressed the goalkeeping department by bringing in Joan Garcia and, after a long-drawn-out saga with Nico Williams, signed Marcus Rashford on loan with an option to buy from Manchester United.

The Englishman came to Spain with a point to prove after being ostracised by Ruben Amorim at his boyhood club. After a brief loan stint at Aston Villa, Rashford was playing for an England berth when he came to Barcelona.

The attacker hit the ground running in the first few months and quickly became a regular starter for Hansi Flick due to injuries to Lamine Yamal and then Raphinha. However, once the duo returned, he saw his returns diminish.

Rashford no longer starts games, and this is affecting his numbers in terms of output. From that perspective, according to SPORT, his 30-minute cameo against Real Sociedad offers plenty of hope for the future.

The Englishman came on and immediately made things happen. He made an excellent run to head home Barcelona’s only goal on the night from a sumptuous ball by Lamine Yamal. However, he did not stop there.

Rashford almost scored an Olympic goal that would have pulled Barcelona level, only to see it come off the woodwork. It was a very promising cameo from a player who showed signs of resurgence after the last couple of months.

Barcelona are yet to decide whether to activate his meagre buy clause at the end of the season. More decisive performances will make a case in his favour, whether they come as a starter or a substitute, and let us wait and see how it develops.