Marcus Rashford has spoken of what many interpret as a discreet jab at Manchester United, describing being in an up-and-down atmosphere at Old Trafford as having played a part in his failure to discover form in the last few years. On loan at Barcelona currently, the 27-year-old is apparently rediscovering his rhythm and perhaps even his passion for the game.
It has been a few months since Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on a loan deal, and although the forward hasn’t set the world alight, the early signs have been rather positive.
“I feel like I’ve been in an inconsistent environment for a very, very long time. So it’s even more difficult to be consistent,” Rashford told ITV in a recent interview.
"I think consistency is something that I need to bring into my game. And yeah, I'm looking to do that" he continued.
Although he did not name Manchester United directly, the context of what he was saying makes it impossible to infer otherwise. Rashford's time at United has been a rollercoaster ride, defined by the merry-go-round of managers, tactical ambiguity, and off-field distractions.
Since 2013, there have been ten Red Devils coaches, four of whom were interim reflective of the very lack of continuity the forward seems to be referencing.
Rashford's more recent problems at Old Trafford, including a problematical relationship with both Erik ten Hag and his replacement Ruben Amorim, were well-covered. In contrast, his first few months at Barcelona saw much-needed relief.
Although he began poorly, Rashford has acclimatized comfortably under new manager Hansi Flick. Three goals and five assists in 10 games in all competitions make him an ever-present player for the Catalan giants especially at a time when they are also going through their own difficult time beset with injuries and ups and downs in form.
At the age of 27, Rashford appears to be hitting a new peak in his career. Barcelona are said to be impressed with his performance so far and may even consider making the move permanent at the end of the season.
For now, Rashford is determined to keep on improving. With deciding encounters against Girona, Olympiacos, and Real Madrid looming, the striker has a golden opportunity to prove that, in the proper environment, he can most certainly provide the consistency he so desperately wants.