The Japan Times - Marcus Rashford: Tarnished Man Utd star seeks Barcelona redemption

The England winger on Wednesday joined Spanish champions Barcelona on loan in a deal that includes a purchase option, signalling a likely final exit from Old Trafford.

Rashford appears to have secured the move he hankered after but there will be no hiding place at the Catalan giants.

It was not supposed to be this way.

The 27-year-old forward appeared to have the world at his feet when he signed a new five-year contract with United worth a reported £325,000 ($435,000) per week in July 2023.

Fresh from scoring 30 goals in the 2022/23 season -- the first time a player had hit that mark for the club since Robin van Persie a decade earlier -- he appeared to be entering his prime.

Rashford's approval rating was sky-high on and off the pitch after his role in forcing a British government U-turn over free school meals for disadvantaged children and his fights against racism and homelessness.

The Manchester-born forward even featured on the cover of British Vogue in 2020 alongside supermodel turned mental health campaigner Adwoa Aboah as one of "The Faces of Hope".

But Rashford clashed with former manager Erik ten Hag and the current boss, Ruben Amorim, and his United career quickly unravelled.

- Boyhood club -

The left winger joined United at the age of seven and emerged as a teenage prodigy in 2016, scoring twice on his United debut against Midtjylland and repeating the feat in his maiden Premier League appearance against Arsenal.

Aged 18, Rashford became the then youngest England player to score on his debut, against Australia.

He has won the Europa League and lifted two FA Cups and two League Cups, scoring 138 goals in 426 appearances for United.

But there is a nagging feeling that a player blessed with talent and athletic ability has failed to fulfil his early promise.

Rashford has not entirely been to blame for his struggles as a succession of managers deployed him as both a winger and a central striker, denying him the chance grow into one role.

And his career has coincided with a decade in which United have lurched from manager to manager, and crisis to crisis, following the glory years under Alex Ferguson.

- United troubles -

The roots of Rashford's United exit can be traced back to December 2022.

Just back from the World Cup in Qatar on a high after scoring three times, the forward found himself in trouble with Ten Hag after oversleeping and reporting late for a team meeting prior to a match at Wolves.

Dropped and chastised by the Dutchman, he came off the bench to score the winner.

Rashford was in hot water again in January 2024 after reports he had been seen in nightspots in Northern Ireland -- he missed training after reporting ill and did not feature in the club's 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport.

As questions over his work ethic persisted, former United captain Gary Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, warned him to "calm down", saying: "He's going through a dip in form but it can become your personality if you're not careful".

But he endured numerous lengthy spells without a goal in Ten Hag's misfiring team.

Rashford was left out of England's Euro 2024 squad and responded in limp fashion, managing six Premier League goals last season.

A trip to New York, where he was pictured attending an NBA game during the November international break, was interpreted as further evidence that Rashford had lost focus.

He scored the first goal of Amorim's reign in November but the Portuguese boss dropped a bombshell when he left him out of the squad for United's win at Manchester City in mid-December, questioning his attitude and work ethic.

Days later a disgruntled Rashford said he was "ready for a new challenge" as the relationship soured and he signed for Aston Villa on loan in February.

The forward made enough of an impact at Villa Park to earn a recall for England, now under the leadership of Thomas Tuchel.

But Amorim has made it clear there is no future for him at Old Trafford.

Now Rashford has a chance to reset, knowing he must prove himself all over again at one of the most demanding clubs in the world.

K.Tanaka--JT