Marcus Rashford has posted a New Year’s message which doesn’t even mention Manchester United whatsoever. The 28-year-old is presently thriving on loan at Barcelona, having found the net seven times and contributed 11 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions.
It’s been a remarkably fruitful year for Rashford, whose outstanding performances during temporary stints at both Aston Villa and Barcelona earned him a recall to the England setup. The forward has compiled the highlights of his year into nine Instagram photographs, with the majority showing him wearing Barcelona’s colours.
His post read: “As 2025 comes to a close, I’m grateful for a year of change and self reflection. Stepping into 2026 feeling excited, motivated, and ready to be ambitious both in sport and life. MR14 [red and blue heart emoji].” Although United were not directly referenced, a Rashford goal for Villa against Manchester City was included.
Barcelona last played on Sunday, December 21 with Rashford benched for that one, just as he was for the Champions League meeting against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Hansi Flick opted to deploy Raphinha and Lamine Yamal out wide, with the same combination also deployed for the Champions League success against Eintracht Frankfurt. Despite him being left out of their starting line-up twice, the England international’s response to these selection choices has been nothing short of exemplary, says Flick.
He said: “I try to speak to every player when they are not selected and the last time I checked with him he replied me; ‘Boss, you don’t have to tell me about your decisions’,” Flick said on Rashford. “‘The most important thing is the team. We have to win the three points. The rest is not that important’.
“This is the perfect mentality. I’m so happy to have him. When he is on the bench, he shows that we have a good and deep squad. What I can say is that he is an absolutely professional player. In the beginning, he had to adapt a little bit, but now he is at his best level.”
It’s hardly surprising that numerous Spanish press outlets are reporting Flick’s eagerness to bring Rashford to Barcelona on a permanent transfer when the summer window opens. The purchase option included in his transfer is said to be around £26m.