'It didn't work out' - Marcus Rashford admits he wanted to join Barcelona in January before making loan move from Man Utd to Aston Villa instead

Rashford has been confirmed as Barca's newest signing, joining the club on loan from Manchester United. The Catalan giants retain an option to buy the England international in the summer should they so wish. Now, the forward has confirmed that he wanted to move to Camp Nou in January, before eventually opting to move to Aston Villa on loan.

Rashford insists he had no difficulty in choosing to join Barcelona, as it has been his "preference" from the outset. The figures clearly did not align in the winter window, although he has finally ended up in Spain ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. He will wear the number 14 shirt at Barca, and has also issued a classy farewell to United.

Rashford said at his unveiling: "Not difficult. I was clear on my preference from the very beginning, actually from January, but it didn't work out in January so I went to Aston Villa. I enjoyed a good period there, I enjoyed myself a lot, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity to play there. The summer came around quickly and again, it was time to make another decision but my choice was easy. I feel like, one, it's a family club, something I'm used to from my past and it feels like home so I feel like I've made the right decision. I'm just excited to get going and play the first game, and play in front of the fans, to play for this football club is a special moment for me so I'm ready to get going."

He added, on United: "The club is in a period of change and has been for a while. I don't have anything bad to say about Manchester United. It is an important part of my life. I wish them all the best and I hope they are successful in the future."

Rashford will not be making his debut in a previously scheduled pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe because Barca have been forced to cancel their friendly, throwing their entire Asia tour into doubt. La Liga kicks off on August 16, with Barca playing Mallorca away.