Gary Lineker Backs Marcus Rashford to Succeed at Barcelona: “The Problem Was Manchester United”
Former England international Gary Lineker has expressed confidence in Marcus Rashford’s potential to thrive at Barcelona, placing blame for the forward’s past struggles squarely on Manchester United. Rashford recently joined the Catalan giants on a season-long loan, becoming the first English player to sign for the club in nearly four decades.
Lineker: Rashford Has the Talent—United Was the Issue
Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca, Lineker, who himself played for Barcelona between 1986 and 1989, praised Rashford’s abilities and highlighted dysfunction at Manchester United as a key obstacle in the player’s development.
“Rashford is a great player. The problem is with Manchester United, not him,” Lineker stated, referencing the club’s turbulent period following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
Lineker’s comments underscore growing concerns around United’s handling of top talents in recent years, particularly amid frequent managerial changes and inconsistent performances.
Rashford Rebuilt His Form at Aston Villa
Before completing his move to Barcelona, Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, where he made a notable resurgence. Under Unai Emery, the forward regained confidence and sharpness, recording ten goal contributions in 17 appearances a blend of goals and assists while playing across the front line.
Though a natural left winger, Rashford also featured as a centre-forward, showcasing tactical flexibility that could be beneficial under Hansi Flick at Barcelona.
Dream Move to Barcelona Becomes Reality
After months of speculation, Barcelona finalized a loan agreement for Rashford, fulfilling what had long been described as the 26-year-old’s dream move. The deal includes a €30 million option-to-buy clause, giving Barça flexibility to assess his impact over the season.
Rashford will be joining a revamped attacking lineup led by Lamine Yamal, with expectations high that the England international can provide experience, versatility, and attacking depth.
Rashford’s Place in Barcelona’s Plans
Rashford’s move is seen as part of a broader strategy by Barcelona to reshape their offensive options heading into the 2025/26 campaign. With Robert Lewandowski aging and question marks surrounding several attacking players, Rashford’s form this season could determine whether the Catalans trigger the permanent transfer clause.
