WHY MARCUS RASHFORD BELIEVES BARCELONA PRESSURE IS BETTER THAN THE OLD TRAFFORD ENVIRONMENT
Marcus Rashford confirms he wants to stay at Barcelona permanently following a successful loan spell from Man United.
Marcus Rashford says he's more driven to do well at Barcelona after moving from Manchester United, saying there's a positive kind of pressure at his new club.
Rashford, who joined the Spanish team on loan from his childhood club at the start of the season after being sidelined by Ruben Amorim, is enjoying life in Spain. He's scored seven goals and assisted 11 in 24 games this season.
The 28-year-old forward had said he wants to stay in Spain after his loan ends, with the club having the option to buy him for £30.3 million.
When asked if that was still his main goal, he told Sport, "Of course, that's what I want, but it's not the only reason I'm pushing myself."
I want to win. Barcelona is a great club known for winning, and there's a certain pressure that comes with that—but it's not a bad thing.
It's pressure you look forward to having while playing football. If I were at a club that didn't expect these things, it would be hard for me to stay motivated. This is a great place for me to continue my football career.
‘I think Man U gets extra flak because most fans in the country just don't like them, plain and simple,’ Harry Maguire told TNT Sports earlier this year.
When asked how he's settled into life in Barcelona, Rashford said, "I felt welcome from day one." I'm here to help the team and win trophies.
They had a great season last year, but things move fast in life and football, so we have to do it again.
I'm focused on that, and the staff and players know it, so it's all good.
Rashford came up through United's academy into the first team under Louis van Gaal in 2016 and was one of the club's most promising young players. But a rocky period at United, with six different managers, led to inconsistent performances in his later seasons.
After scoring 30 goals in Erik ten Hag's first season, he struggled to keep up his form, and Ruben Amorim's arrival marked the beginning of the end for the Englishman's time at Old Trafford.
Rashford joined Aston Villa less than three months after the Portuguese boss arrived. Amorim said he couldn't get Rashford on board with his ideas. "I couldn't get Marcus to see football or training the way I do," Amorim said then.
Sometimes a player works really well with one coach but not with another. I wish Rashford all the best.
Rashford's latest comments suggest he felt there was a problem with the level and type of pressure at the club.
Scott McTominay has also done well since leaving United, helping Napoli win the Serie A last season and getting a Ballon d'Or nomination.
He's not the only one to mention the intense criticism faced by United players. Harry Maguire said the pressure was on a totally different level compared to other clubs.
I think Man U gets extra flak because most fans in the country just don't like them, plain and simple, Maguire told TNT Sports earlier this year.
Everyone in the Premier League dislikes Man Utd, and they don’t want to see them do well.”
Rashford, who has been called an absolute professional by his new manager Hansi Flick, isn't the only recent departure thriving abroad. Former winger Antony has contributed 13 goals in 19 games for Real Betis in his first season since his permanent move in the summer.
Scott McTominay was nominated for the Ballon d’Or after helping Napoli clinch the Serie A title last season, winning the Player of the Season award for his performances.
Former Red Angel Gomes, who has received an England call-up since leaving United in 2020 for a flourishing career at Lille and now Marseille, described how some players benefit from being free of the weight of the United shirt.
‘Players may have been intimidated or not really know about the weight, what it carries, and what it takes,’ he told the BBC in June.
‘But ultimately, sometimes, it’s down to environment, timing, and having the right things in place to help you.
‘Some players who have left and gone on to do better than when they were at United, there might be things in place at that certain club, at that moment in time, that helped them succeed.’
REPORT: HANSI FLICK RELEGATES MARC-ANDRé TER STEGEN TO THIRD CHOICE; GIRONA MOVE NOW HIGHLY LIKELY
Girona are planning a shock January loan for Marc-André ter Stegen. Can the Catalan side agree on wages with Barcelona today?
Girona's management is planning to sign a big La Liga player: Barcelona's Marc-André ter Stegen.
Mundo Deportivo recently reported Girona's surprising interest, saying they're ready to get the German keeper this winter if they get a chance.
Signing a player like him costs a lot, but Girona is determined to do what it takes to make their team stronger. They can't afford to buy him outright, so they're looking at a loan. For that to happen, either Ter Stegen or Barcelona needs to give up quite a bit of money.
Girona thinks the 33-year-old German would quickly fix their goalie problem. They're hoping his presence will steady the defense and bring leadership.
The report also mentions that the player is open to the move. At 33, he needs to play every week to stay the starting goalie for Germany in the next World Cup.
Barcelona seems okay with letting him go for a while, but the money is still the issue. Girona just can't afford his full salary without help.
It all depends on two things: Barcelona will have to pay part of his wages, or Ter Stegen must take a pay cut to join Estadi Montilivi. Previous reports said Barcelona doesn't want to force their captain out. Aston Villa has also reportedly reached out to the German.
Barcelona should value the player more than his salary.
Barcelona needs to be smart about this. They need to protect their finances while taking care of a club legend who still has a lot of value. There's no point in keeping a top earner on the bench. Instead, the team should make the loan happen to keep him in shape all season.
If the German just sits around, his transfer value will drop. The club would also lose their advantage when it's time to sell him later. Joan Laporta and Deco should work out a deal where they cover some of his pay. They should view that cost as an investment to keep his value high, not just waste money.
Looking ahead, this move seems like the end of Ter Stegen's time at Camp Nou. If he leaves now, it clearly shows that Barcelona is moving on to younger goalies. The clubs will probably find a compromise on the wages soon. Everyone wants this to happen. Girona gets a top-notch goalie, Barcelona eases some tension in the locker room, and Ter Stegen gets to chase his World Cup dreams.
BARCELONA MOVE FOR FORMER LA MASIA STAR ADRIAN BERNABé BEFORE VALUE SKYROCKETS
Barcelona is eyeing a reunion with La Masia graduate Adrian Bernabé. Discover how the Parma star became an affordable target.
Barcelona is super aware that money is tight, and they can't just sign anyone they want. They need to be smart about who they bring in, focusing on players who won't break the bank and who will fit how the team plays.
With this in mind, Barca has been watching a familiar face: Adrian Bernabe. He used to play in Barca's youth system and has been doing well in Italy, according to Fichajes.
The club thinks he's grown into a player who would do well in their current system. At 24, he's a key player for Parma and could be a good addition to the team.
Bernabe is mainly a central midfielder. He left Barcelona for Manchester City back in 2018, hoping to learn a lot. He played a bit under Pep Guardiola but didn't get a ton of playing time because of the competition.
That's why he moved to Parma in 2021, which seemed like a step down at the time. But it was a good move. Parma trusted him and gave him a big role, which helped him grow.
He really stepped up as a leader, running the midfield and controlling the game. He was a big part of Parma getting promoted to Serie A, and this season he's been playing great.
Barcelona likes Bernabe because he's got skills, vision, and understands how to play his position. He's good at moving the ball, making smart passes, and playing with discipline. Plus, he can shoot from far out and is good on set pieces, which is a bonus.
This wouldn't be a huge signing, but it fits with what Barcelona is trying to do right now, which is get players who are ready to play right away without costing too much. The fact that Bernabe came up through La Masia and played under Guardiola is a plus.
He's got a contract with Parma until 2027, so Barca would have to talk to them to make a deal. Still, his age, how much he makes, and his familiarity with Barcelona's style of play make him an affordable option.
Apparently, people close to Bernabe are happy about Barcelona's interest, but there's no rush to make anything happen just yet.
Barcelona will keep watching him as things progress. Bringing back a former player who has developed somewhere else would suit the club's current plans.
They're definitely interested; they like what he can do, and he's still an option as Barcelona tries to strengthen the team without losing sight of their values.