Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a new lease of life since swapping Manchester United for Barcelona in the summer — and has now reportedly set himself an ambitious personal target to reach by the end of the season.
The England forward, 27, escaped Old Trafford on loan in July after being placed in Ruben Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ at Manchester United, having spent the last six months of last season on loan at Aston Villa.
And Rashford, whose loan agreement with Barcelona includes a £26million option-to-buy clause next summer, will be delighted with how he has started at the Nou Camp, racking up two goals and five assists from his nine matches in all competitions so far.
His two goals came during the first gameweek of Champions League, when the Manchester United exile netted a brace – including one stunner – during Barcelona’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park.
But it appears Rashford is more concerned about his creativity, having set reportedly a personal target of between 30 to 40 assists for the season.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the England international is convinced he can achieve the ambitious target, despite registering only 27 assists across the last three campaigns in total.
Marcus Rashford has reportedly set a huge personal target to reach by the end of the season
The Man United exile has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to Barcelona in the summer
The England star scored a stunning brace against Newcastle in the Champions League and has also chalked up an impressive five assists from his nine matches in all competitions so far
Thomas Tuchel’s decision to include Rashford in his upcoming England squad raised few eyebrows, while others choices — such as Jude Bellingham being left out — made headline news.
Given his impressive start to life in Catalonia, the former Red Devils star will hope to cement his position in the Three Lions’ World Cup squad next summer and has a good chance of reestablishing the first-choice spot on England’s left wing, should he continue his fine form.
Rashford’s first few months in Barcelona have not been without the odd bump in the road, however.
He was dropped by Barcelona manager Hansi Flick days after his sensational brace against Newcastle for turning up late for a team meeting.
Despite the timekeeping issue, the club’s sporting director Deco insisted he was ‘happy’ with Rashford’s progress in an interview earlier this week.
‘He’s on a simple loan, there’s no penalty, and if we want him, we have an option to buy,’ the Portuguese legend told Mundo Deportivo.
‘It’s too early to talk about decisions for next season, but what matters is that we’re happy with him. What we thought he could bring to us, he’s bringing.
‘He’s a very high-level player. 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. But we’re happy with him – that’s the most important thing.
He has reportedly set himself a target of between 30 to 40 assists by the end of the season
Since Rashford’s exit, things have only gone from bad to worse for United and Ruben Amorim
‘These aren’t decisions for now. Now it’s time to focus on the games to come. A decision will be made, but that’s not being discussed right now. There’s a contract between the clubs but it has to be discussed.’
Meanwhile, the state of affairs at Manchester United has gone from bad to worse since Rashford’s summer exit, with the Red Devils languishing in 14th position in the Premier League table and already out of the Carabao Cup following a shock defeat against Grimsby Town.
Ruben Amorim, who is under significant pressure as he approaches almost a year at the club, will hope to bounce back against Sunderland at Old Trafford this weekend after last Saturday’s dismal 3-1 defeat by Brentford.
