‘He hasn’t shown respect’ – Marcus Rashford blasted by ex-Man Utd star after Barcelona transfer

Rashford has signed for Barcelona on a season-long loan from Manchester United after being left out of Ruben Amorim's plans for the future at Old Trafford. The forward came through United's academy but has now moved on and could make the transfer permanent if Hansi Flick's side take up the purchase option in his contract next year.

The move ends a turbulent period in Rashford's career. He was deemed surplus to requirements by Amorim and then sent out on loan to Aston Villa last season. Saha has shared his verdict on the England international and explained why he is sad to see him leave Old Trafford.

He told Betway: "I think it’s a fresh start. There are definitely things that he has to improve on as a player, as a man. You understand that you were at the club of your heart, but definitely he will still miss the environment. It was like something broke, that’s for sure, so that’s why he’s going. I just wish him well. I understand what Teddy Sheringham said. He hasn’t shown respect to the club. I was really sad, really sad because he’s such a big player. It’s a profile I really like, I support, so I felt disappointed.

"But I know in a career, sometimes you make mistakes and you grow. You can still say that he’s a young lad. All these posts that he’s done recently showing him really working hard in the gym, it’s things that I love to see, him with more consistency and more focus.

"When he was at United, it was his responsibility. He was the star, the guy coming from the academy, the guy that people expect performances from and are extremely demanding of. And I don’t think that he understood that. So I think it’s sad because it was a love story, people wanted him to succeed there."

Saha is also backing Rashford to thrive at Barcelona despite his disappointment at seeing him leave Manchester United. He added: "I think going to Barcelona is going to be almost a step up that he hasn’t deserved in some way, but he will definitely prove that he’s a terrific player. Manchester United will miss Rashford in some games, maybe not his attitude or his character sometimes. 

"Sometimes he was a paradox, showing a very confident stature and at the same time asking to be protected by people. When you’re scoring 30 goals, you expect people to protect your legacy and your status when you’re performing. He wasn’t performing. So for this reason, I was extremely harsh with him, because we’ve seen he was able to score 30 goals. He was able to represent a lot of things for the youngsters inside or outside Manchester, obviously in England. So I had really high hopes for him, and that’s why I’m sad."

Rashford is currently with the Barcelona squad for their pre-season tour of Asia. He could make his debut for the club on Sunday in a friendly against Vissel Kobe.