The arrival of Marcus Rashford at Barcelona in August was meant to be a fresh start. From day one, the English forward emphasized one key word: discipline. It was a concept meant to distance himself from the issues he carried at Manchester United, where episodes of indiscipline and questionable behavior pushed him out of the club. Yet, just over a month into his time in Catalonia, the striker seems to be stumbling over the same stone again.

Punished for lateness

The most recent incident occurred when Rashford showed up two minutes late to a team meeting. While it may seem minor, coach Hansi Flick enforces strict punctuality rules and did not hesitate to bench him against Getafe, right after the Englishman had shone against Newcastle. The sanction not only robbed him of the chance to build on his momentum but also opened the door for Ferran Torres to shine with a brace, further complicating the internal battle for a spot.

The episode brings back memories for United fans, who had already seen him in similar situations: from arriving late to meetings to making tabloid headlines for late-night outings at the worst times. Not even his best seasons, with 30 goals, managed to erase the criticism over his inconsistency off the pitch.

An opportunity that could slip away

At Manchester United, managers such as Erik ten Hag and later Ruben Amorim publicly warned Rashford that he needed to change his lifestyle if he wanted to perform at the highest level. Even after strong stretches, he would fall back into old habits that ultimately overshadowed his talent. Now, at Barcelona, history seems to be repeating itself.

Hansi Flick’s decision to bring him in was no accident. The coach saw him as a player capable of revitalizing Barça’s attack, convincing the club to sign him when other options like Nico Williams slipped away. But the German has already made it clear that discipline is non-negotiable. “It’s not that hard to arrive on time and respect the rest of the team,” he stated at a press conference, reminding everyone that this wasn’t the first time he’s punished a player for tardiness.

Barely two months into his stint, Rashford risks wasting what could be the last big opportunity of his career. If he doesn’t fix things quickly, his dream of making it at the Camp Nou could end before it truly begins.