Marcus Rashford has experienced an intense first few weeks as a FC Barcelona player. In an interview for the program The Rest Is Football, hosted by Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards, the English forward shared his impressions since arriving at the Catalan club, revealing how surprised he is by the training pace set by Hansi Flick and the quality of players like Pedri.

Impressed by Barça’s Style and Intensity

Rashford described it as “refreshing” to share a dressing room with young, ambitious players. Among them, he highlighted Pedri: “It’s incredible to play with footballers who set their own tempo like him. I think he’s only 22 or 23, but he plays like a veteran.”

The striker also admitted that the training sessions have been a real physical and mental challenge. “The intensity here is very high. Preseason has been tough; I finished exhausted after every session. It’s not just about running—it’s about working with the ball and keeping a constant level. That’s what really takes the most effort,” he explained, noting that the hot and humid conditions during the Asian tour also played a role.

During his adaptation, he has received support from teammates like Jules Koundé and Frenkie de Jong, who have helped him bridge the communication gap in a dressing room where Spanish and Catalan dominate.

Competition and Clear Goals

Rashford, still awaiting registration in LaLiga to debut on Saturday against Mallorca, has made a strong impression in preseason, showing his versatility both on the wing and as a central striker. With Robert Lewandowski recovering from muscle discomfort, the Englishman could get minutes as the team’s attacking reference, although Ferran Torres currently seems the favorite for the role.

On the left flank, Raphinha will remain an undisputed starter after an outstanding season, something Rashford accepts patiently: “I want to have a good individual season, but if I have to choose between that and winning titles, I will always choose winning titles.”

Criticism of His Time at Manchester United

The forward also reflected on his recent spell at Manchester United, expressing frustration over the lack of a clear plan: “They say we’ve been in transition for years, but to be in transition, you first have to start it. We’ve had too many managers and different strategies, and that has led us to a dead end.”

Meanwhile, Barcelona continues its preparations for the match against Mallorca, awaiting updates from LaLiga’s medical committee on Joan García, and with Hansi Flick working with all available players, including several youngsters from the reserve team.