Marcus Rashford Aims for Barcelona Goals as Transfer Ambitions Heat Up
Exclusive: Marcus Rashford Aims for Goal-Scoring Glory at Barcelona
Marcus Rashford’s Ambitious Season Target
In a bid to make his loan spell at Barcelona permanent, Marcus Rashford is targeting an ambitious feat: contributing to at least 40 goals this season. Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, has been transparent about his aspiration to secure a permanent spot with the Catalan club. Barcelona holds an option to finalize Rashford’s stay for a moderate sum of €30 million (£26.1 million, $35.2 million), and manager Hansi Flick is a known enthusiast of Rashford’s talent.
Hansi Flick’s Trust in Rashford
The German manager advocated for Rashford’s registration in time for the season’s opener. Despite minor setbacks, like being benched for arriving late to a meeting, Rashford has largely justified Flick’s confidence. Scoring twice against Newcastle United in the Champions League and providing four assists, including a clever pass to Ferran Torres against Paris Saint-Germain, Rashford’s contribution is increasingly significant.
Rashford’s Performance Metrics
Rashford’s early impact is promising, with six goal contributions in nine appearances. According to Mundo Deportivo, he aims to achieve a combined goal-and-assist tally of 30 to 40 by season’s end.
| Statistic (all competitions) | Value (per 90) | Squad Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 (0.3) | 4th |
| xG | 1.3 (0.2) | 5th |
| Shots | 24 (4.1) | 2nd |
| Assists | 4 (0.7) | 1st |
| xA | 1.8 (0.3) | 2nd |
| Chances Created | 15 (2.6) | 3rd |
Comparison with Barcelona’s Top Players
Flick’s Barcelona is known for its high-scoring nature, yet Rashford’s target remains bold. Last season, only three players—Raphinha (56), Robert Lewandowski (45), and Lamine Yamal (39)—achieved over 30 goal contributions, all ranking among the top 20 for the Ballon d’Or. Although Rashford has never been nominated, his past achievements indicate potential.
Rashford’s Past Prolific Performance
Between 2019 and 2023, Rashford notably surpassed 30 goal contributions thrice while with Manchester United, thriving in Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s counterattacking setup. After adjustments under Erik ten Hag, he regained form and scored 30 goals across competitions for the first time in his career. However, subsequent seasons saw a decline, with just 32 goal contributions in English football over two years, nine occurring during a loan at Aston Villa.
| Season (Club) | Games | Goals / Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 (Man Utd) | 56 | 30 / 9 |
| 2020–21 (Man Utd) | 57 | 21 / 13 |
| 2019–20 (Man Utd) | 44 | 22 / 9 |
| 2017–18 (Man Utd) | 52 | 13 / 8 |
| 2018–19 (Man Utd) | 47 | 13 / 8 |
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