Football is a game, but for many people, it is also life. Marcus Rashford lived for a lifetime with Manchester United – love, sacrifice, endure, burden and even bitterness.
As an English football fan, a long -term “manucian” and above all, a person who has witnessed the maturity of Marcus Rashford, I could not help but be touched when I heard that she officially joined Barcelona. Part of me felt lost – as if a life chapter just closed. But most of them are sincere joy. I am happy for Rashford, because she finally escaped from the vicious cycle at Old Trafford to start a new journey that I deserve to have for a long time.
20 years. A number is not small for anyone, even more small for a player born in 1997 like Rashford. I came to Carrington when it was just a small, small, long -year -old boy, with his eyes always facing Old Trafford as the cathedral. Since then, Rashford has constantly grew up with Manchester United – from the academy to the first team, from the number 39 to 10, from the young talent into the hope of a generation.
Rashford is embodied for what is called “One Club Man” – a lifelong player with a team. Despite the appearance of sometimes falling, even criticizing sometimes, Rashford never wanted to leave. I did not react, did not fight, did not disturb the scenes. I just quietly kicked the football – devoted to the red shirt. That loyalty is not everyone patient enough to keep, especially in a place full of volatile like Manchester United post -post Sir Alex Ferguson.
I have witnessed a lot of people turning away from Rashford. At one point, the social network was full of curses, disdain, even insulting her family. Just because I did not score, did not shine as expected. But try to ask: Does anyone have enough firm enough to go through 8 generations of coaches in just 9 years in the first team? Does anyone stabilize the form when they have to run after each idea, each tactical diagram, each different style of playing football in just a short distance?
Sir Alex once said, “Stable is the foundation of success.” What Rashford has not been over the years is that stability. I have never been kicked in the right position for a long time. Sometimes the wing, sometimes striker, sometimes even pulled down to the stone as low as the midfielder. Yet, people still expect Rashford to always “carry the team”, must always score, must always shine like a new CR7. That pressure is so cruel.
2022/23 is the season that Rashford broke out. 30 goals in all competitions, including extremely important goals against Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona. I became the first player of MU after Robin Van Persie to reach 30 goals/season. At that time, the whole UK had to admit: Rashford is at the peak.
Unfortunately, that peak does not last long. Partly because of injury, partly because of tactical fluctuations, partly because the heavy psychology comes from the pressure “must be the number one star” at a team that has no clear identity.
Fortunately, the second half of the 2024/25 season, Rashford was lent to Aston Villa – a less pressure place, less spotlight – and I immediately revived. 4 goals, 6 assists in 17 matches. Under the Villa shirt, Rashford plays as if you were 2016: agile, confident and assertive. That form even helped me return to the English national team under the new coach Thomas Tuchel, a clear evidence: Rashford has not ended. I only need a healthy enough environment to develop.
And now, Barcelona has given me that new chapter. A prestigious club, an open tournament with techniques, speed, and especially very suitable for a player model like Rashford. There is Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Gavi, Pedri-the perfect potential teammates for the classic Tiki-Taka-style counterattack. A place that is both traditional and ambitious, nor lack of “big stage” for Rashford to perform.
More importantly, it is my own determination. Rashford voluntarily reduced a 25% salary, from 325,000 pounds/week to about 240,000, to be able to play football for Barca. In an era where the player put money on the top, that decision was a human touch. I did not run after the dollar in Saudi Arabia, did not seek safety in the Premier League. I chose to risk, adventure, choose to learn and refresh myself.
At the age of 27, Rashford is entering the most maturity of his career. If it fails in Barcelona, it will be difficult for you to regain its position in Europe. But I and many people love her that this is not a reckless decision, but the “All-in” needed for Rashford to really makeover. As the way Greenwood shone in Getafe and now the pillar in Marseille, like Antony transformed at Real Betis – the “disgraced” star in MU suddenly dazzling in Spain.
Rashford can be like that, and so. Because not only for myself, but also because millions of fans like me-those who still remember the speed and shot into Arsenal at the age of 18, still remember the time when she hugged the ball to make a brave penalty on the night of Paris on March 7, 2019, helping the Red Devils to make a spectacular comeback, still remember a Rashford standing up to claim free lunch for the poor British children in the British Penura.
I am happy for you, because you deserve freedom
Football is a game, but for many people, it is also life. Rashford lived a lifetime with Manchester United – loved, sacrificed, endured, burdened and even bitter. Now, when you choose to leave, I don't blame. I just wanted to say: “I have done enough, Marcus. Now it's time to live for me.”
Barcelona – Welcome Rashford as a true artist. And if one day you score against the MU main net in the Champions League, I won't be sad. Actually, with the current situation, that day is still very long. At that time, I will just smile and whisper: “I am happy for you”.
