Marcus Rashford has once again spoken candidly about the challenges he faced at Manchester United, claiming that the club’s unstable environment hindered his ability to perform consistently. The England forward, now thriving on loan at Barcelona, said his inconsistent form in recent seasons stemmed from the lack of structure at Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old joined Barcelona on a season-long loan with an option for a permanent move and has quickly rediscovered his spark in Spain. In his first 10 appearances, Rashford has scored three goals and registered five assists, earning praise from both fans and England manager Thomas Tuchel, who retained him in the national squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
What Did Rashford Say About His Time at Manchester United?
Speaking to ITV before England clashed with Latvia, Rashford was asked about Tuchel’s belief that consistency is the final step for him to reach a world-class level. He agreed but pointed to his former club as a major obstacle.
“For sure, consistency is a massive part of it,” Rashford said, as quoted by The Daily Mail. “I feel like I have been in an inconsistent environment for a very long time, so it is even more difficult to be consistent.”
He added, “I want to be at my best, not sometimes, but as often as possible. When people talk about consistency, in order to be consistent in anything… you need consistent variables in your life and the way you train. We have just had so many changes so far in my career, but I have to look forward.”
Since breaking through under Louis van Gaal in 2016, Rashford has played under four permanent managers and three interim bosses. His standout periods came during Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s tenure, when he scored 22 goals in 2019-20 and 21 the following season, and under Erik ten Hag, who guided him to a career-best 30 goals in 2022-23.
However, his form dipped sharply afterward. Following his £300,000-a-week contract extension, he managed just eight goals in the 2023-24 campaign amid disciplinary issues, including missing training and oversleeping before a team meeting. Ten Hag’s successor, Ruben Amorim, took a stricter approach, sidelining Rashford and insisting the player needed to “change” as the squad worked to “set standards.” The move ultimately led to a loan spell at Aston Villa and later, Barcelona.
How Has Rashford Fared at Barcelona?
Despite a brief disciplinary hiccup for arriving late to a team meeting, Rashford appears rejuvenated under Hansi Flick. Barcelona sporting director Deco backed the forward’s comments about his struggles at Manchester United, saying the player had endured difficult years due to constant managerial turnover and pressure.
“He exploded very early, then he had great seasons at United, then he had years of more complicated management with changes of coaches, and perhaps he struggled too because they demanded a lot of things from him there,” Deco said. “But we’re happy with him, that’s the most important thing.”
While Deco confirmed that discussions over a permanent transfer are not yet underway, he expressed satisfaction with Rashford’s impact. “What we thought he could bring to us, he’s bringing,” he said. “A decision will be made, but that’s not being discussed right now.”
For Rashford, the move to Barcelona seems to have offered the stability and freedom he longed for at United, a fresh start that could finally allow him to reach his full potential.
By Yockshard Enyendi