On-loan Barcelona star gets lifeline to prove his worth at a crucial time | OneFootball

Barcelona have been forced into a rethink, and it could not have come at a more decisive point in the season. 

The injury to Raphinha, which is expected to keep him out for around five weeks, has opened up a clear gap on the left flank, one that now falls directly into the path of Marcus Rashford.

For Rashford, this is potentially his last real chance to define his future at the club.

The England international had started his loan spell brightly, quickly making an impact with goals and assists. 

At one stage, he looked like a player who could seamlessly fit into Flick’s system. However, that early momentum has faded. 

His influence has gradually declined, and his role within the squad has shifted towards rotation rather than importance.

A golden chance

The numbers still hold some weight for Rashford, 10 goals and 13 assists, but there is more to that. 

Simply put, Rashford has not scored since early February, when he found the net in the Copa del Rey quarter-final against Albacete. 

Rashford’s future could be defined in next weeks. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

More concerning is his recent involvement, having gone nine matches without a goal contribution and has struggled for minutes in key fixtures. 

In fact, he has started just one of Barcelona’s last six league games.

Now, circumstances have changed.

Crucial time for Rashford

With Raphinha sidelined, Barcelona need a natural left-sided attacker, someone who can stretch play, attack space, and provide directness. 

While Flick does have alternative options within the squad, none offer the same profile as Rashford in that specific role. That alone puts him in pole position to step in.

Notably, this period could ultimately decide everything. 

This is because Barcelona hold a non-binding option to sign Rashford permanently for €30 million, structured across three instalments. 

It is a deal that remains very much alive, but only if the player delivers when it matters most.