Marcus Rashford edges closer to the pitch with Barcelona, revealing the confirmed fixture for his injury comeback.
The Englishman arrived on loan from Manchester United with a point to prove, delivering 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances before a knee issue sidelined him during critical matches against Atletico Madrid and Girona.
His absence exposed vulnerabilities on the left flank, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal shouldering much of the creative burden amid Robert Lewandowski’s managed minutes.
Barcelona have confirmed the return of Marcus Rashford for the match next week, with the forward now fully training and expected to feature after recovering from knee discomfort, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Medical reports indicate no setbacks, allowing Flick to plan his reintegration – likely 60 minutes initially to rebuild sharpness without risking relapse.
Rashford’s pace, directness, and synergy with Pedri position him as a game-changer, especially after the 2-1 Girona defeat highlighted frontline frailties.
This boost arrives amid wholesale squad evolution. Deco eyes Lyon’s €30m winger Malick Fofana as a permanent left-sided option, while Roony Bardghji’s €20m transfer-listing promises profit.
Alejandro Balde faces a €40m Manchester United plot, opening doors for left-back shortlisters Alejandro Grimaldo (free), Daniel Svensson (€15m), or Miguel Gutiérrez (€30m).
Youth arrivals like Ajax’s Tristan Gooijer and Norwich’s Ajay Tavares fortify the pipeline, as Joan Laporta’s €100m election pledge looms post-Julian Alvarez’s Atletico U-turn and Lewandowski’s exit drift.
Rashford’s return electrifies the attack. His cut-inside threat complements Yamal’s right-wing brilliance, fuelling Flick’s fluid front three alongside Ferran Torres rotations.
With Spotify Camp Nou’s capacity set to jump in March, a raucous home crowd awaits his burst against Villarreal or Copa legs.
Converting his €30m buy-option could be Deco’s shrewdest move, blending proven pedigree with La Masia magic for the title run-in.
Rashford’s resurgence signals Barcelona’s resilience – turning loans into legacies amid the chaos.
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