Marcus Rashford’s new Barcelona life as Man Utd star’s behaviour speaks volumes

Marcus Rashford has delivered 10 goals and 13 assists for Barcelona with the La Liga club holding an option to sign the Manchester United star permanently

Marcus Rashford has been flourishing both on and off the pitch after joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United. The England international has already reached double digits in goals and assists, keeping his dream of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup 2026 squad alive.

Away from the pitch, Rashford has fewer distractions than he did at his parent club. However, he’s been keeping himself occupied with new hobbies and forming new bonds – all while keeping an eye on United’s season.

“To play my best football, I need to be happy,” Rashford said when speaking to Spanish outlet Sport shortly after finalising his season-long loan move. He certainly appears more settled after leaving the hotel where he was staying at the time and making Castelldefels, a coastal town south of Barcelona, his new home.

He has made trips to La Cupula Garraf, a restaurant renowned for its rice and seafood dishes, while opening up on his love for paella. Rashford took fishing trips back home in the UK and has done the same in Catalunya with The Telegraph noting that he’s taken friends with him to catch fish around the Llobregat Delta.

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That’s not the only way in which the England international has been keeping busy off the pitch. Many past and present Barcelona players are known to be fans of padel, including former Barca and Man Utd defender Gerard Pique, and Rashford’s name can now be added to that list.

Sport also reports that Rashford formed a close early bond with Swedish striker Roony Bardghji, another summer recruit, since their arrival at the club. United fans may remember Bardghji as the player who netted the winning goal for FC Copenhagen against Erik ten Hag’s United in a 2023 Champions League match which also saw Rashford sent off.

Several ex-Premier League players have also aided Rashford in settling into life at Camp Nou. Wojciech Szceszny, Eric Garcia and Raphinha all have experience of English football and the English language although Rashford is also taking Spanish lessons to improve his communication with colleagues and Spanish media.

This all suggests he has the goods to help him enjoy a longer stay, though nothing is set in stone. Barca do have a £26.2million purchase option and could potentially seal a permanent deal at the end of the season, but Rashford hasn’t forgotten about his boyhood club.

Despite spending the season away from Old Trafford, Rashford has continued to follow every match played by United. The appointment of his former team-mate Michael Carrick as interim manager has sparked rumours of a surprise return to English football, but it’s believed Barcelona still plan to exercise their buy option as manager Hansi Flick continues to enjoy working with the loanee.

“We always look at the goals, the final passes, but as a coach he can give us much more,” the German manager said when asked about the forward earlier this season. “That’s what I want to see. I’m very happy with him; he’s giving us what we ask of him, but he has more potential.”

Rashford has racked up 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances for Barcelona, averaging a goal contribution for every 86 minutes on the pitch. According to Sport, Flick and sporting director Deco don’t believe they can secure another player of his calibre for £26m, hence their eagerness to make his move permanent.

It seems he’s also been making strides to settle in off the field. If Rashford does indeed remain beyond this season, he may not need to make many more adjustments.

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