Marcus Rashford reunites with Wayne Rooney months after ‘run more’ message

Marcus Rashford reunited with former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney at St. James’ Park as Barcelona consider making his loan move permanent for £26million

Marcus Rashford enjoyed a warm reunion with former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney before Barcelona’s match against Newcastle United. The current Man United loanee made a point of greeting his parent club’s all-time leading scorer at St. James’ Park.

Rashford, 28, featured as a second-half substitute for Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16 first leg 1-1 draw. The England international bagged a brace against the Magpies earlier in the campaign.

His current employers are considering making his loan move permanent. Before kick-off, Rashford took a moment for a quick reunion with Rooney and his former England teammate Daniel Sturridge.

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The former United colleagues enjoyed a brief but warm exchange pitchside at St. James’ Park. They embraced and shared a quick laugh before the Barcelona forward made his way towards the dressing room.

Their meeting comes almost five months after Rooney questioned Rashford’s displays at Old Trafford. Shortly after his loan switch to the Nou Camp, Rashford implied his difficulties at United stemmed from an “inconsistent environment”.

Rooney was unsure about Rashford’s explanation and maintained that the England international could have put in more effort during his time at Old Trafford. They spoke about Rashford on The Wayne Rooney Show.

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He said: “I think the environment hasn’t been right, but that is down to yourself. If you are not playing well or you get left out of the team, it is easier to blame the environment, whether that is right or wrong.

“I think that comes from how you apply yourself. In games we have seen with (Rashford) where we know he can do more, we know he can run more – that is nothing to do with an environment.

“I might be wrong here, I really like Marcus as a lad and as a person, but I think that is an easy one to throw at people.”

Before his loan switch to Barcelona, Rashford was excluded from the United squad by previous head coach Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese boss loaned the striker to Aston Villa in January 2025, before approving a temporary transfer to Catalonia.

There is a chance Barcelona will seek to make Rashford’s loan move permanent at the end of the campaign. The Blaugrana have an option to sign him outright for £26million, according to a clause in their loan deal with United.