Marcus Rashford reveals why it's 'refreshing' to play for Barcelona after Champions League heroics | OneFootball

England forward shows Manchester United what they are missing with delightful double against Newcastle

Marcus Rashford insists it is “refreshing” to play for an exciting Barcelona team as he continues to put his Manchester United struggles behind him.

It was a statement return to English soil for the oft-maligned 27-year-old, who had been frozen out at United under Ruben Amorim - not playing for his boyhood club since December 2024 - and saw an initially promising loan spell with Premier League rivals Aston Villa during the second half of last season curtailed due to injury.

But now Rashford finally looks to be hitting some form, with his double against Newcastle following a week in which he scored England’s last goal from the penalty spot in a 5-0 rout of Serbia in World Cup qualifying before registering an assist for Barca as they hit Valencia for six in LaLiga on Sunday.

"[Playing for Barca is an] amazing experience” he told TNT Sports. “I've always been a huge admirer of Barcelona. We want to win as much as possible.

"They [the fans] want to see the team win and play good football. This isn't an easy place to play football. The first half was cagey. It's very difficult to play against this team.”

On his wondergoal, Rashford added: “It was a split second, I felt there was a gap. I thought try to get a shot off. Their player was trying to block it so I tried to lift it. I knew when I caught it it would take the keeper some going to stop it.

"100 per cent I'm full of excitement. I'm very motivated and determined. The quality we have in the team excites me. It's so refreshing to play with these players."

Rashford’s man-of-the-match performance came in front of watching England manager Thomas Tuchel, while Barca boss Hansi Flick was also delighted with his efforts.

“We always see it in training and he’s shown it today, I’m very happy for him,” he said. “In the offence we have a lot of good players and he’s one of them.

“I’m really happy to have him because he gives us a little bit more opportunity... and it’s great to have him.

“These two goals help a lot to take the next step. It’s so important that he has the confidence, to feel okay. It’s important, he can do it. These goals are unbelievable for him for the next steps.”

Asked in his post-match press conference if he was surprised at being able to sign Rashford, Flick responded: “When we had this chance, we said, 'Okay, we have to do it'.

“I spoke with him before everything, going in the right way. I said, 'I want you, I want you in my team', and 100 per cent I'm happy because he's an outstanding player.”