Fabrizio Romano has shut down a rumour surrounding Marcus Rashford after he scored a stunning Champions League brace against Newcastle.
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on a season-long loan during the summer.
The 27-year-old made a bright start under Rúben Amorim last season but soon found himself left out of matchday squads, which led to a loan switch to Aston Villa in January.
Rashford had been keen on a move to Barcelona at the time, but it fell through after Ansu Fati declined to leave the club.
That transfer finally came to fruition this summer, with Rashford sealing a season-long loan to the Catalan side, who also hold an option to buy him next year.
So far, Rashford has featured five times for Hansi Flick’s team, netting his first goals in a 2-1 Champions League victory over Newcastle on Thursday night.
Rashford rumour shut down after stunning brace
While Rashford’s first goal against Newcastle was a lovely, powerful header to take the lead at St. James’ Park, his second was a stunner. Receiving the ball outside the area, he shifted the ball onto his right and struck a thunderbolt across the goal and past Nick Pope.
Earlier this month, rumours surfaced that Barcelona were considering terminating his loan move early due to his mixed start in Spain. However, following his brace, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano dismissed these claims as “complete bullsh*t”.
“Barcelona are very happy with Rashford,” Fabrizio Romano explained on his YouTube channel.
“Barcelona are happy with his attitude, Barcelona are happy with Rashford as a professional, and Barcelona are happy with how he is doing his very best to adapt to a new city, a new country, a new league, a new club, and a new coach.
“Everything is new for Marcus Rashford, but his process of adaptation is going very, very well, and the club are very happy.
A few weeks ago, we had reports of Barcelona considering an early termination of Rashford’s loan. I told you here on the channel — complete bullsh*t, completely fake.
“Now you can see how Rashford is performing, how he is already becoming an important player for Barcelona. And these two goals on a crucial Champions League night for Barcelona are already a perfect message coming from the player.”
With United continuing to back Amorim and the Old Trafford head coach, United will be happy to see Barcelona’s positivity surrounding Rashford amid the option they have to sign the player for around £26 million next summer.
Rashford warming himself up for World Cup heroics
Rashford’s double was a fantastic confidence boost for the winger and a defiant message, too, but the most signifiacnt part of it all may be that he did it all in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel.
England have always had a big question mark surrounding who starts on the left flank for the Three Lions. When Rashford was firing, it was his spot, but once his form dipped, the subsequent replacement became less obvious.
But, with Rashford away from the pressure and noise of playing in the Premier League with Manchester United, and also having the staunch backing of Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, the winger can get back to his very best and reclaim that spot with England.
Harry Kane has been stunning for Bayern Munich so far this season, while Bukayo Saka is expected to return to duties at Arsenal soon. If Rashford can continue his form and raise his performance levels, England could be heading to the 2026 World Cup with an incredibly strong front three.
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