Arsenal legend Thierry Henry picked up on a key detail from Manchester United player Marcus Rashford after Barcelona’s Champions League win against Newcastle on Thursday evening.
Barcelona walked away with all three Champions League points at St James’ Park after the sensational impact of Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford.
Rashford broke the deadlock for Barcelona in the second half before the 27-year-old England international netted a stunning second to sign off his superb performance.
Jules Kounde picked out the United player from a cross for Barcelona’s opener, with Rashford attacking the ball with a standing header in the 58th minute on Thursday.
Rashford completed his Barcelona brace nine minutes after he opened the scoring by firing a sensational long-range strike into the back of the Newcastle net.
The important Marcus Rashford moment that Thierry Henry noticed from Barcelona’s Champions League win against Newcastle
Nick Pope was left helpless in trying to deny Marcus Rashford’s brace for Barcelona after the Manchester United star found himself in space outside of the box.
Rashford unleashed a stunning strike from around 20 yards out after he evaded Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali in the build-up to his sensational second.
The former Aston Villa star’s strike hit the underside of the bar before the ball was planted into the back of Nick Pope’s Newcastle net at St James’ Park.
Ex-Barcelona and Arsenal star Thierry Henry admitted that Rashford ‘attacking’ a cross with his headed effort was a ‘rare’ moment that is not normally seen from him.
Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, he said: “When someone comes back to a place and he has a point to prove, I mean, look, you know we all know what he can do, but because of the last two years at United and obviously went to Villa and now this is at a Barcelona and it had to be him.
“It had to be him. By the way, what a header and we’ve seen that finish before from him.
“Striking that ball from outside of the box, but rarely I saw him attack the cross like that with his head. And that was two great finishes.”
Man Utd loanee Marcus Rashford opens up on his Barcelona screamer against Newcastle in the Champions League
Rashford was the difference-maker for Barcelona on the night, with Newcastle pulling one back late in the second half thanks to England winger Anthony Gordon.
Speaking after Thursday’s Champions League win for Barcelona, Rashford admitted that he had to act on instinct and try to pull off his shot to complete his brace.
“It was a split second, I felt there was a gap,” he told TNT Sports, as per BBC Sport.
“I thought [to] try to get a shot off. Their player was trying to block it, so I tried to lift it. I knew when I caught it would take the keeper some going to stop it.
“100% I’m full of excitement. I’m very motivated and determined. The quality we have in the team excites me. It’s so refreshing to play with these players.”
Rashford, who signed on loan for Barcelona in the summer window, has scored twice and picked up one assist in five matches for the Spanish side this season.
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