Marcus Rashford sent harsh warning by Thomas Tuchel as England boss urges Barcelona loanee not to waste talent

That deal includes the option for a permanent transfer to be pushed through in 2026. That could prove to be a productive summer for Rashford, who is also hoping to make Tuchel’s squad for the next World Cup - with England on the verge of confirming qualification for that event.

Rashford, who made his senior international debut in 2016, is being asked to put his experience to good use. He has, however, found consistency hard to come by in recent seasons and needs to prove that he is no fading force. Tuchel is eager to ensure that Rashford is left with no regrets when it comes to maximising his talent.

Tuchel said when discussing a forward that burst onto the scene with United at 18 years of age: “That is the headline for him. To keep on pushing himself to the limit. The limit for him is very, very high. Maybe higher than for others. He has the potential, but potential is a dangerous word with high-level sports. You have to reach your personal best on a regular basis. It’s not a question of talent, it’s a question of whether he can prove the point at club and international level. Whether he starts for us or comes off the bench he has to constantly prove himself.

“He can be one of the best in the world. The quality I see in training, the finishing with both legs and with the head. He is explosive, he is fast, he is strong in the air so where are the limits? There are no limits, but the numbers don’t reach the potential. He needs to push himself into goal involvements. That means goals and assists. He knows that from me.”

Rashford has registered 18 goals for England through 64 appearances. He has failed to reach double figures at club level across the last two campaigns, leading to him spending 18 months in the international wilderness before making Tuchel’s first squad as Three Lions manager in March 2025.

Tuchel added on Rashford’s redemption arc: “He is still on that. He still has to make these decisions. He is in that moment, he is young enough to take the right decisions and not let go. Otherwise, he will be disappointed in 10 years at what could have been and what he made of it.”

Rashford began to rediscover a lost spark during a loan spell at Aston Villa last season, with Tuchel pleased to see a proven performer step out of his comfort zone and challenge himself. The German tactician said: “That was quite a bold move because to go in a working team, and a team that was well settled and played a hard-working style, that was a very, very good move for him and he settled in very quickly.

“And for the work-rate against the ball I selected him. And still he had not as many goals and not as many goal involvements as he could have. He creates quite a lot of chances, but for the quality and finishing that we see with training, he just doesn’t score enough. That’s the next step.”

Rashford is now on the books of La Liga giants Barcelona. He has registered three goals and five assists for them through 10 appearances this season, with it being suggested that an extended stay in Catalunya can be earned.

His next outing could come in England’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Tuesday, with Tuchel looking for attacking inspiration in that contest after seeing all-time leading goalscorer Harry Kane pick up a knock and Ollie Watkins withdraw from the fold after suffering a freak injury in the Three Lions’ 3-0 friendly victory over Wales.