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As the black Mercedes people carrier carrying Marcus Rashford and his entourage turned the corner towards the offices at the Camp Nou, a crowd of giddy youngsters suddenly sprung into life.
Some had already started live streaming on social media, others begged parents to go on their shoulders for a better look. One brave child even decided to climb the fence to get a prime view of Rashford walking into the stadium.
Out he stepped in a tailored black suit – the decision to forgo a tie was a wise one in the muggy 27-degree heat – with a smile as big as it has been for some time.
He waved to the fans clamouring for autographs before heading inside to meet Barcelona president Joan Laporta. Marcus Mania, to coin the chaos, was alive and well.
Around by the club shop another large crowd had formed, most eager to catch a glimpse of a player and a man that has caused great fascination in recent days. Mail Sport had to fight through the crowd to make it in.
Inside the shop a flurry of Rashford shirts were being hastily unpacked by workers and there was a frantic search for spare hangers.
Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona was made official on Wednesday evening
Rashford’s smile throughout his Barcelona unveiling was as big as it has been for some time
The forward looked content, confident even, as he faced the Spanish media for the first time
Papers such as Mundo Deportivo ran a story explaining the meaning behind Rashford’s tattoos, other outlets discussed his bold fashion. Very few who lined the streets outside the Camp Nou cared one iota about him being cast aside by Manchester United.
In fact the only similarity to Manchester for much of this ceremonial affair was the weather. Of course it had to rain on Rashford’s big day.
But what was apparent throughout a long day of interviews, announcements and autograph signings was that Rashford is happy and healthy.
As he stood on the top floor of the club shop to face up to the Spanish press for the first team, photographers sprawled across the floor and a dozen-plus cameras broadcasting his every word, Rashford looked content, confident even, that his recent down years at United do not define him.
‘The situation with [Manchester] United – the club is in a period of change and they have been for a while,’ he said.
‘I don’t have anything bad to say about Man United. It’s been an important part of not only my career but my life, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play for them.
‘But football is the same as life, and not everything goes as simple as you may think.
‘This is my next step, my next chapter, and I’m fully focused on this and trying to improve myself and help the team win trophies.
He was naturally questioned on the sour end to his time with Man United at his unveiling
The England international spoke of his excitement to join a young and ambitious Barca squad
Rashford also spoke of Hansi Flick and how he has been impressed by the German’s work
‘I don’t have anything to say about United, I hope they are successful in the future. I’m focused here and I’m ready to play and experience this club.’
And that was that for questions on Manchester United. A classy response to a saga that was on the precipice of turning ugly after being bombed out by Ruben Amorim and put into a ‘bomb squad’ group that were told they could only arrive at Carrington to train after he and the first team had gone home.
‘I’m in a good place,’ he added. He looked it too. No inkling of resentment. No suggestion of revenge. He smiled, laughed on occasion, and simply looked like a man at peace with the ups and downs of a whirlwind career that can be traced all the way back to his senior United debut in February 2016.
Stood in the wings was his mum Melanie, brothers Dane and Dwaine, as well as some other agents and intermediaries. They all lit up in unison as he spoke.
On the wall that Rashford was facing as he coolly took on a flurry of questions about his motivations, his early impressions of the city and the team, and his conversations with boss Hansi Flick, was a collage of the great Johan Cruyff.
It was his No 14 shirt that Rashford chose, not the No 19 once worn by Lionel Messi and the number Rashford was once owner of at Manchester United.
‘It’s a traditional number for the club and it’s a unique club,’ he added. ‘Everything about the club is special and to wear this shirt is an honour.’
This is the third time Barcelona have tried to sign Rashford. They tried first in 2019 and now, six years later, the pair are together.
Rashford has taken on the No 14 – the iconic jersey worn by club legend Johan Cruyff
For an opening chapter to his new life in Barcelona, things couldn’t have gone much better
It’s a place, as Rashford put it, where ‘dreams come true’.
‘I want to win the biggest trophies and I feel like Barcelona is a huge club in the football world so it’s the perfect place to go and win the biggest trophies.
‘You saw last season they have a very young team ambitious team and I want to come and add my qualities and personality and try to improve the team.’
Rashford had barely broken sweat, which was impressive given the near 30-degree temperatures all day in a suit, before he was ushered out the door ahead of a customary dinner with Barcelona’s top executives in a high-end restaurant.
Once upon a time his dream as a young kid growing up in Wythenshawe was to pull on the shirt of Manchester United.
Rashford got to live that dream. Now, at 27, it’s time to realise another. For the first time in a long time Rashford looked like that kid that was dreaming of playing football, the one who was climbing the fence to catch even the smallest glimpse.
Dreams change and new stories are continuously written. As for an opening chapter of life in Barcelona, this one couldn’t have gone much better.
