Gary Lineker has now suggested that one first-team Manchester United player has “started” well in the 2025-26 campaign after moving away from Old Trafford.
The Manchester United first-team squad saw sweeping changes under Ruben Amorim in the summer, including the arrival of new signings and players sold.
United manager Ruben Amorim was able to offload players who were deemed surplus to requirements, with some sent out on loan while others were sold.
Former United wingers Antony and Alejandro Garnacho completed their respective moves to Real Betis and Chelsea on a permanent basis in the summer window.
Meanwhile, the likes of United trio Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were loaned out to Napoli, Barcelona and Aston Villa respectively.
Amorim was also able to strengthen his attacking output for the 2025-26 season after the big-money moves for Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo.
Gary Lineker’s position on Marcus Rashford after the Man Utd loanee’s early showing at Barcelona on loan
Former Aston Villa star Marcus Rashford was one of the high-profile – and expected – departures from Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old England international spent the second half of last season out on loan at Aston Villa before making his return to Old Trafford at the end of his deal.
Rashford trained alone at United and was left out of Ruben Amorim’s pre-season plans after former Premier League side Villa chose not to sign him permanently.
The United talent’s deal with Villa expired in June and he was back at the Red Devils in July, but Barcelona signed Rashford in July on a 12-month loan deal from United.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Gary Lineker believes that Barcelona’s summer signing is proving a real point to his biggest critics with his spell at the Camp Nou.
“I think Marcus has started well at Barcelona, you know, cause he’s not, you know, going to a club like that,” he said.
“He’s getting a lot of football, you know, people were saying he’s not gonna get a game, he’s not playing, obviously, you’re always gonna get little knocks and injuries to certain players, and he seems to be rotating quite a lot.
“But Marcus has started a lot of games in the Champions League, now of the three goals that Barcelona have scored, he’s scored two of them and assisted the other one, really good pass.”
Man Utd loanee Marcus Rashford is continuing his career revitalisation at Barcelona under Hansi Flick
Rashford has not been reduced to benchwarmer status at Barcelona and Hansi Flick has already shown that the England star is a key part of his plans this season.
The on-loan United player has scored twice and registered five assists in nine appearances for the defending Spanish champions in the 2025-26 campaign.
Rashford has had an impact for Barcelona in the Champions League, including scoring a stunning brace against Newcastle at St James’ Park in September.
The former Villa forward has been a versatile option for Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who has played Rashford both centrally and through the middle this season.
Barcelona have the option to make Rashford’s move to the Camp Nou permanent in 2026, but it remains to be seen if the United star’s ‘audition’ triggers that decision.
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