Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says the club could not miss out on the opportunity to sign Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United this summer.
The England man bagged his first goals for Barca in a 2-1 Champions League win at Newcastle – the second being an absolute rocket – to leave Flick a very happy man.
Asked if he was surprised to be able to land the 27-year-old on a season-long loan deal, the German said: “When we had this chance, we said, ‘Okay, we have to do it’.
“I spoke with him before everything, going in the right way. I said, ‘I want you, I want you in my team’, and 100 per cent I’m happy because he’s an outstanding player.”
Rashford, whose only other goal this season had come from the penalty spot during England’s 5-0 World Cup qualifier victory in Serbia, broke the deadlock with 58 minutes gone when he headed Jules Kounde’s cross beyond Nick Pope, who he beat even more comprehensively nine minutes later when thumped home a long-range strike off the underside of the crossbar.
Flick said: “For me, this was the first step and he has to make the next one because this match, these two goals here in England against Newcastle for Barcelona in the first Champions League match of the season, I think it’s great, it’s really great.
“It gives him confidence in himself and for me, this is the most important thing, that he knows and shows us on the pitch that he’s a fantastic player.”
Rashford was delighted to have played such a pivotal role at St James’ Park on his return to England.
The striker told TNT Sports: “That is what I am here to do – to help the team win, but also to try to improve and be the best that I can.”
Reflecting on his early weeks in Spain, he added: “It is an amazing experience. I have always been a huge admirer of Barcelona, most people my age have watched them play from when we were younger.
“It is amazing football and amazing players. We just want to win as much as possible.”
