Marcus Rashford images speak volumes as Man United forward seals dream Barcelona transfer

Fast-forward to now, however, and Rashford is looking better than ever - off the pitch at least.

The England international has left United for Barcelona, who have the option to buy the forward permanently at the end of the campaign. He looked dapper in a black suit on Wednesday and was beaming from ear to ear as he posed for photographs.

Rashford attracted interest from several clubs when it became apparent that he wouldn't be welcomed back into the fold at United.

Yet he always had his heard set on a move to Barcelona, who were actually his preferred destination when he was shoved out of the Old Trafford door in the New Year.

Rashford did well for United during his time as a regular starter, providing big goals and big moments under the likes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.

But with the club keen to scale the heights of old, of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, Ruben Amorim decided early on that Rashford was surplus to requirements.

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It is a shame it didn't quite work out. In another world, Rashford would have won the Premier League title - or a few of them.

But a new challenge in Catalonia now awaits and it will be fascinating to see how Rashford performs.

It is, certainly, an intriguing move. It always is when a British player chooses to depart for overseas and Barcelona, as one of the biggest clubs in the world, will offer him a platform to rejuvenate his career.

The LaLiga titans won the league under Hansi Flick last term playing entertaining, enterprising football. They also enjoyed success in the Copa del Rey, though came up short in the Champions League - where they lost to Inter Milan in the semi-finals.

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Where Rashford fits in remains to be seen.

After all, Barcelona's attack is already extremely dangerous given how they boast talents such as Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.

Yet Barcelona believe in Rashford. He was the chosen one for sporting director Deco, despite the club previously being linked with Nico Williams and Luis Diaz.

Rashford is a game-changer. When one of Barcelona's big hitters is injured, or rested, he'll be expected to produce the goods - just like he did at times during his spell at United.

Speaking on Wednesday, the Old Trafford academy graduate admitted he was eager to get started in his new surroundings.

"I'm very excited," he said. "It's a club where dreams come true. They win big prizes and what the club stands for really means a lot to me.

"It feels like I'm at home and it's a big factor in my choice to come here.

"It's a family club and people are comfortable here. It's a good place for good players to showcase their skills."

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On what he can bring to the team, he continued: "I always try to make decisive actions and fast dynamic plays, and I always like good football. I've always been a fan of watching Barcelona play from a young age, like most football fans.

"It's going to be a joy for me to play here and I am going to enjoy every minute of it. I'm full of excitement and hunger to go out and try and help this team win.

"They won so much last year and I can see the ambition of the club is to do better than last year. For a player, that is what you want to hear because it keeps you improving year on year, and that is what you need to be the best version of yourself."

Whether he can be that same version remains to be seen.