Marcus Rashford’s arrival at Barcelona has sparked plenty of discussion about where he fits best in the team’s attacking setup.
Though the England international is known for his versatility across the front line, he has openly admitted that playing as a traditional number nine isn’t where he feels most comfortable.
In a recent conversation with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards on The Rest is Football podcast, Rashford spoke candidly about the challenges he’s facing in Spain. He reflected on Manchester United’s struggles in recent years and shared insights into his adaptation process since joining the Catalan club.
Now at Barcelona, Rashford finds himself competing with a high-caliber group of forwards, including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and rising star Lamine Yamal. Even Ferran Torres is currently seen as a more natural fit for the central striker role than Rashford.
Throughout pre-season, Rashford has mostly featured on the left wing, although he was given a chance in a central role during a friendly against Como. Still, breaking into the starting XI won’t be easy, given the experience and form of the players ahead of him.
Some Barcelona fans believe there’s still a real opportunity for Rashford to claim the number nine spot especially considering Lewandowski is now 36 years old. But with both Raphinha and Yamal performing at such a high level, Rashford will need to fight hard for minutes on the pitch.
If he can adapt to Barcelona’s style of play, there’s a strong chance he’ll make his official debut in the upcoming match against RCD Mallorca. After being registered just in time by the club, the former Manchester United forward could soon be stepping onto the La Liga stage.
