Marcus Rashford delivers Man United farewell message at Barcelona unveiling – as exiled star looks forward to ‘next chapter’ with Spanish giants

Marcus Rashford has admitted Man United are in a ‘period of change’ after completing his loan move away from the club to join Barcelona.

Rashford has joined the Spanish giants on a season long loan move, with Barcelona having the option to make the deal permanent for around £30m next summer.

The forward had been one of five players placed into a ‘bomb squad’ by Man United boss Ruben Amorim this summer, prior to his departure.

The academy graduate had joined Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia in being axed from Amorim’s plans.

Rashford, who had spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, was the first to seal his exit.

Despite the nature of his departure, Rashford said he did not have ‘anything bad to say about Man United’, but admitted the club is continuing to go through a period of change.

‘The situation with United, the club is in a period of change and they have been for a while,’ Rashford said.

‘I don’t have anything bad to say about Man United, it’s been an important part of not only my career but my life, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play for them, but football is the same as life, and not everything goes as simple as you may think.

‘This is my next step, my next chapter, and I’m fully focused on this and trying to improve myself and help the team win trophies.

‘I don’t have anything to say about United, I hope they are successful in the future. 

‘I’m focused here and I’m ready to play and experience this club.’

Since making his Man United debut in 2016, Rashford made 426 appearances for the club and scored 138 goals.

Rashford is 20th all-time for appearances at the club, while his goalscoring tally is the 13th highest.

He was part of two FA Cup and League Cup winning teams at Man United, as well as winning the Europa League in 2017.