I want you - Barcelona coach reveals his desire for Manchester United abandoned star Rashford

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has revealed he “could not pass up” the chance to bring Marcus Rashford to Camp Nou after Manchester United made the striker available on loan.

The 27-year-old England international silenced critics with a decisive brace in Barça’s 2-1 Champions League win at Newcastle on Thursday night.

After a quiet start to life in Spain, with just one penalty goal for England in recent weeks, Rashford delivered when it mattered.

He opened the scoring in the 58th minute, rising to head Jules Koundé’s cross beyond Nick Pope. Nine minutes later, he doubled Barça’s advantage with a thunderous long-range strike that crashed in off the underside of the bar.

Asked if he was surprised to land Rashford on a season-long deal, Flick explained his thinking behind the move.

He said, “When we had this chance, we said, ‘Okay, we have to do it’. I spoke with him before everything, going in the right way. I said, ‘I want you, I want you in my team’, and 100 per cent I’m happy because he’s an outstanding player.”

The German boss described Rashford’s double at St. James’ Park as a confidence-builder and a glimpse of his full potential.

“For me, this was the first step and he has to make the next one. These two goals here in England, for Barcelona, in the first Champions League match of the season, it’s really great. It gives him confidence and shows us he’s a fantastic player.”

Rashford’s future at Old Trafford had looked uncertain after falling out of favour, but his early impact at Barcelona suggests a fresh start could reignite his career.