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Former Premier League forward Troy Deeney believes that Marcus Rashford’s move to Barcelona has provided the wake-up call he badly needed after enduring what he described as a difficult spell at Manchester United. The ex-Watford captain explained that the culture at the Catalan club leaves little space for personal ego, claiming that at Barcelona, “nobody gives a f*ck” about Rashford’s past reputation when compared to the club’s legendary figures. Deeney feels that this blunt reality has helped the 28-year-old regain his focus and flourish in La Liga.

Deeney praised Rashford’s transformation at Barcelona, writing in his column for The Sun that the difference in the forward’s dedication has been clear since leaving the Premier League for Spain. He noted that the atmosphere at Camp Nou has forced a major shift in Rashford’s professional mindset. Since joining the Catalan giants on loan, Rashford has netted 10 goals across all competitions, showing impressive form under the new environment.

According to Deeney, Rashford’s journey from being the central figure at a struggling Manchester United to becoming just another player in Barcelona’s star-studded squad has been the key to his revival. The former Birmingham City striker said, “Leaving a club where he was one of the biggest names, the message at Barcelona would have been clear: ‘We don’t give a f*** about Marcus Rashford; we had Lionel Messi here recently.’ They don’t care about his image, his clothes, or his off-field persona – he’s there to prove he deserves to wear that shirt.”

Deeney also emphasised that Barcelona’s coaching staff have shown Rashford that discipline outweighs celebrity status. He highlighted how Rashford’s adjustment to the team-first mentality was crucial: “It shows you can’t always have things your way. You either adapt to Barcelona’s standards or you don’t play. The club has made it clear to Rashford – this is how things are done here. If you follow that path, you’ll reap the rewards: you’ll play for Barcelona, score goals, and make it to the World Cup with England.”

With the World Cup approaching, Rashford’s strong performances have reignited his chances of returning to the England starting XI under Thomas Tuchel. Deeney compared him to Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon and added, “If England were starting their World Cup campaign next week, I’d have Rashford on the left. Based purely on stats, Gordon might get the nod, but if you look at the football itself and the attitude of both players, it has to be Rashford.”