Rashford looking to continue Champions League run in his Barcelona redemption arc

The recent narrative of Manchester United players leaving Old Trafford and rediscovering their best form has perhaps been best personified by Marcus Rashford's start at Barcelona. 

The England striker had a much-publicised falling out with Ruben Amorim last year, which became the latest incident in what's been a roller-coaster ride for Rashford ever since he burst onto the scene as a teenager for his hometown club. 

Yet, even after his displays during his loan spell with Aston Villa, many didn't expect the 28-year-old to have quite the impact he's had at Barca - especially in the Champions League.

A Champions welcome 

A move to the Nou Camp had been Rashford's first choice all summer, so it was no great surprise to see him finally become the first English player to don the famous shirt since Gary Lineker in the late 1980s.

Whether or not he could dislodge a frontline that includes Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who had fuelled Barca's title win last season, was a massive question mark, but it was a move the forward was keen to make a go of. 

After taking time to settle in his new surroundings, opportunity quickly knocked for Rashford as injuries in those attacking areas allowed him minutes on the pitch to show what he can do, and after grabbing his first assist for the club in the thrashing of Valencia, it was a return to England that became his jumping point for the Catalans. 

Starting on his favoured left-hand side, Rashford scored both goals as Hansi Flick's team came from behind to beat Newcastle at St. James' Park, sending a clear message to those who have doubted him during his perils at United. 

His second goal showed the instinctiveness and brilliance which has become the hallmark of the player when he's in form, with a strike that will surely be among the best goals in this season's competition. 

The springboard 

Not resting on his laurels, that performance has been used as the fuel to launch himself in Barca blue and red. 

His first assist, just days before putting the Magpies to the sword, was the beginning of a run that saw him set up goals in four consecutive La Liga matches, before getting his first league goal for the club in the shock defeat to Sevilla. 

He notched his second only last weekend, netting in the 3-1 win over Elche, where his performance was given a standing ovation by the home fans, yet it's his displays in the Champions League which are really shining. 

• Read next I What happened to the players in Serie A’s last Champions League-winning team?

After the brace on Tyneside, he was on hand to set up the goal for Ferran Torres against PSG, before netting two more goals in the thrashing of Olympiakos, putting him alongside Kane, Mbappe and Haaland among the competition's top scorers. 

Next is a trip to Belgium to face Brugge, who shipped four goals last time out to Bayern, and although they are a slightly different prospect at home, Rashford will fancy his chances of adding to his total and continuing his run in Europe. 

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The future 

As ever, speculation remains around the long-term future of Rashford, who's still a Manchester United player even if it feels like that tie has almost been broken for good - especially under Amorim. 

The Spanish side are thought to be keen on making the move permanent, calling the notion a 'no-brainer', while the player himself looks to be loving life in the city, telling supporters after Sunday's win "Home win, good vibes. Thanks for the support. Tiereé that one was for you as promised" on his Instagram account. 

As for his manager, although he has charged him with getting more goals, he's admitted how pleased he is with his number 14 by saying, "We can be happy with him, of course. I am very happy with him. He can play on this level and I am happy he shows it for the fans and the club, but also for team-mates, he is a very important player." 

If he carries on in the same vein in the Champions League, the move may be a no-brainer for all parties, but will Manchester United feel the urge for one final fling with their homegrown star? 

Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday 4

Tuesday 4 November 

• Napoli 0-0 Eintracht Frankfurt 
• Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal 
• Atletico Madrid 3-1 Union-SG 
• Bodo/Glimt 0-1 Monaco 
• Juventus 1-1 Sporting 
• Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid 
• Olympiakos 1-1 PSV 
• PSG 1-2 Bayern Munich 
• Tottenham 4-0 Copenhagen 

Wednesday 5 November 

• Pafos vs Villarreal 
• Qarabag vs Chelsea 
• Ajax vs Galatasaray 
• Benfica vs Bayer Leverkusen 
• Club Brugge vs Barcelona 
• Inter Milan vs Kairat 
• Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund 
• Marseille vs Atalanta 
• Newcastle United vs Atletico Bilbao 

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