Marcus Rashford, whose future at Manchester United remains in doubt, has given his assessment of Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.
In a video with Spanish YouTube channel xBuyer, Rashford was asked about the prospect of one day calling the teenage superstar a teammate, and he answered in the affirmative.
The 27-year-old, who spent the rest of the 2024/25 season on loan at Aston Villa, is still not sure about his place at Old Trafford, and he is considering moving away this summer.
The England international is reportedly available for £40 million, but talkSPORT is reporting that Manchester United will take a loan deal if no club can come up with the exact fee for Rashford’s signature.
According to various reports in the media, Rashford’s representatives have already held talks with Barcelona Sporting Director Deco over a loan arrangement that will suit the Spanish champions.
Although nothing concrete has been revealed about the talks between the two parties, Rashford’s glowing assessment of Lamine Yamal is the clearest indication yet of how desperate Rashford wants to join Barcelona.
Rashford dreams of playing with the best – Yamal
In a video on a Spanish YouTube channel, xBuyer, Rashford answered in the affirmative to the question of whether he would like to play with Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal.
“Yeah, sure,” Rashford said. Everybody in the world wants to play with the best. So hopefully, we’ll see. He [Yamal] is playing at the highest level, I don’t think we’ve seen it,” Rashford said.
“To have his mentality is a skill. He’s not normal to be doing what he does and will keep improving.”
With Rashford not sure about where he will be playing next season, if a move to Barcelona happens, Rashford will have to compete with Raphinha on the left side of the attack or with Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres in the center forward role. Lamine Yamal’s spot on the right is not up for competition.
However, Raphinha was a different player in the 2024/25 campaign, as he produced an impressive 34 goals and 25 assists across 57 appearances in all competitions. Those numbers compared to Rashford’s four goals and six assists at Villa make it difficult for anyone to usurp the Brazilian.
Meanwhile, Barcelona has even agreed on personal terms with Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, which means the Catalan side might not be considering another option in that position.
“For me, as I’ve got older, the number nine position is becoming more comfortable, more natural,” Rashford said about him playing down the middle in attack
“Things like playing with my back to the goal are becoming easier for me; you’re always in front of the goal and always dangerous.”
Rashford also said the following about Spain as a country: “Spain is nice; it’s not too far from home. If I’m training over a long period, my family can come for a few days; it’s a nice location and good weather.”
Rasford made the most of his six-month loan at Aston Villa before a hamstring injury in late April ruled him out for the rest of the season. The 27-year-old made 12 goal contributions in his 17 appearances for the Villans.
