Marcus Rashford will be back in Barcelona reasonably satisfied with his latest international runout.
The loanee came off the bench to score a penalty in England’s 5–0 World Cup qualifying win over Serbia on Tuesday night, though he was left frustrated in the earlier match against Andorra as part of a flat team performance.
A different Rashford was on the pitch, particularly different to the one seen at Barcelona and Manchester United in the last 18 months, as he was keen to attack his full back and get his shot away. He managed two shots in the 21 minutes where he featured for England, forcing a good goalkeeper save and another shot blocked.
His spot in England’s World Cup squad appears secure, for now, arguably more so than his place in Barcelona’s starting XI. Earlier this week, rumors surfaced suggesting the club was exploring the possibility of cutting his loan spell short, but those reports were swiftly dismissed, and rightly so.
The price of international football
According to reports from AS, Marcus Rashford is expected to be included in the attacking trio this weekend, lining up alongside Lamine Yamal and the central striker. Hansi Flick has reportedly already backed the decision. It’s a bold move, likely influenced by the toll of the recent international break.
While Raphinha remains the most reliable option on the left wing, he was recently shifted into a more central role to accommodate Rashford’s full debut, a setup that now appears unlikely to continue. The Brazilian is expected to start on the bench for Sunday’s fixture.
Raphinha played in both of Brazil’s recent World Cup qualifiers, including a physically demanding match against Chile at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. Combined with the long-haul flight back to Europe, the accumulated fatigue could affect his readiness and performance heading into the weekend.
After playing 20 minutes against Mallorca, the first 45 against Levante, and the final 30 minutes against Rayo Vallecano, Rashford will be hoping for a full 90, and a chance to make a real impact.