As he addressed the media at his Barcelona unveiling, a reporter asked Marcus Rashford about Gary Lineker's recent comments regarding his departure from Manchester United – and his response speaks volumes.
Rashford was announced as a Barcelona player on Wednesday evening, with the England international joining on loan for the rest of the 2025/26 campaign.
After a deal that will see Barca cover his £325,000-a-week wage was agreed in principle last weekend, the 27-year-old joined up with manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco at the club's Ciutat Esportiva training ground on Monday.
Rashford's switch from Manchester to the Catalan giants has certainly become a big talking point of late, and former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker gave his no-nonsense verdict on the move ahead of Wednesday's announcement.
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Speaking to Marca, Lineker said: “Barca haven’t had an Englishman in their team for a long time, and it’s a good signing.
"He’s a great player. He’s had his problems at United in recent years; he hasn’t played much, but he has a lot of talent. The problem is Manchester United; those who have come out of there have played better elsewhere."
Lineker added: "He’s very fast, very dangerous, and a good person. I hope he can show his level. There are a lot of games being played these days, and more starters are needed. And Marcus has great quality. I think he’s going to be a great signing for Barca.”
Two days after the quotes emerged and Rashford was asked about Lineker's comments as he spoke to the media at his Barcelona unveiling.
As you can see from the footage below, a reporter asked if he agreed with Lineker, who said the problem was Manchester United rather than Rashford himself.
He responded: "The situation with Manchester United is that the club is going through a period of change, and this has been ongoing for some time. I don’t have anything negative to say about Manchester United."
Rashford added: I think it has been an important part not only of my career but of my life as well, so I am grateful for the opportunity to play for them. But football is the same as life, not everything goes as simple as you may have thought. This is my next step, my next chapter."
A boyhood United fan and academy graduate, Rashford has found himself frozen out at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim after the Portuguese took issue with his performance level in training.
Having been dropped from the matchday squad for the Manchester derby victory in December, Rashford did not feature again for United and spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa.
His form saw him earn a recall to the England squad in March, but it did not change his situation at United.
He had his No.10 taken off him and was placed in a so-called 'bomb squad' alongside Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia.
Topics: Marcus Rashford, Manchester United, Barcelona, La Liga
Jack Kenmare