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Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford is poised to make history on Sunday when he becomes the first English player to feature in a Clásico for the club since Gary Lineker in the 1980s.
The Manchester United forward, currently on loan at the Catalan club, has rediscovered his spark under Hansi Flick and will play a key role in the La Liga showdown against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.
An injury to Raphinha early in the season opened the door for Rashford, and he has seized the opportunity with impressive form — scoring five goals and providing six assists in 12 appearances.
His recent brace in Barcelona’s 6-1 demolition of Olympiacos in the Champions League showcased his growing influence just days before the clash with Madrid.
Rashford’s performance has been one of the most pleasant surprises of Flick’s reign so far. “It’s a very easy team to enjoy football with,” the 27-year-old said earlier this week.
Flick praised the forward’s attitude and output after his double against Olympiacos, saying, “He’s giving me 100 per cent of what I want from him.”
The Englishman’s loan move in the summer looked like a perfect arrangement for all parties. Out of favour at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, Rashford was seeking a new challenge, while financially strapped Barcelona needed an affordable attacking option.
Taking the iconic No. 14 shirt, once worn by Thierry Henry, Rashford described the move as “an honour and a fresh start.”
After a slow start adapting to Flick’s pressing system, Rashford has become indispensable — the only Barcelona attacker to feature in every match this season.
His sharpness in front of goal and creativity on the left wing have made him a vital part of Barca’s attack, while he has also shown versatility by stepping in for the injured Robert Lewandowski as a central striker.
Off the pitch, Rashford has had to adapt to Flick’s strict discipline. He was benched for a match against Getafe in September after arriving two minutes late to a team meeting — a lapse that drew criticism in England.
However, others, such as Jules Koundé and Raphinha, have also been punished for similar infractions, underlining Flick’s insistence on timekeeping and professionalism.
Rashford’s deliveries from corners have also become a useful weapon for Barcelona, with several near-assists coming from his set pieces.
His first goals for the club arrived in September with a brace against Newcastle — ironically, the former club of Alan Shearer, who had called him “unprofessional” after the Getafe incident. Since then, Rashford has contributed a goal or assist in eight of his last nine games.
One area where Flick still wants improvement is Rashford’s pressing game. “Our style is based on high intensity, and I want to see that from him too,” the coach said. But overall, the England international has proven himself a strong fit for Flick’s plans.
Barcelona hold an option to make Rashford’s move permanent for €30 million at the end of the season — a deal that looks increasingly attractive.
A match-winning display against Real Madrid on Sunday could all but cement his place in the club’s future.
