Manchester United players publicly congratulated Marcus Rashford following his recent achievement with Barcelona, who claimed the Supercopa de Espana title on January 14, 2024. Barcelona secured their second consecutive title and a total of 16 overall by defeating fierce rivals Real Madrid 3-2 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Rashford, 28, joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United last summer. He made a significant impact during the match, coming on as a second-half substitute and helping Barcelona maintain their lead against Real Madrid. Although he had a chance to score late in the game, his shot went off target, but it did not affect the final outcome. This victory marked Barcelona’s fifth win in their last six encounters against Real Madrid, further solidifying their dominance in this historic rivalry.
After the match, Rashford took to social media to express his pride and joy, posting several images celebrating the win. In his caption, he wrote: “SUPER CUP CHAMPIONS [raised hands emoji and trophy emoji]. What a way to start the year!! [blue circle emoji and red circle emoji].” His post garnered significant attention, receiving over one million likes from fans and fellow players alike. Among those who congratulated him were teammates from Manchester United, including Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes, with Maguire commenting, “Love it mate [clapping hands emoji],” and Fernandes adding, “Congratulations my brother [red love heart emoji].”
Rashford has made a notable impact since his loan move to Barcelona, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists in 27 appearances. Despite his contributions, he has faced competition for a starting position, with Raphinha being favored on the left side. Raphinha’s impressive performance, which included two goals against Real Madrid, has further complicated Rashford’s position in the squad.
Following the match, Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick expressed his pride in the team’s performance, stating, “It’s excellent, it was an important final, against Real Madrid it’s always excellent. I’m proud, we played the way we wanted.” Flick noted the team’s ability to control possession and play cohesively, emphasizing their commitment to teamwork throughout the match.
As part of the loan agreement, Barcelona holds a £26 million option to make Rashford’s transfer permanent. However, they may seek to negotiate a lower figure later in the season, depending on his performance and integration into the team.
This recent achievement adds to Rashford’s growing portfolio of success, illustrating his ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive environment while maintaining strong connections with former teammates. The congratulatory messages from Manchester United players highlight the camaraderie that exists despite the transition from club to club.
