Barca verdict on 'hit and miss' Rashford after stunning Copenhagen strike

Marcus Rashford struck a fine free-kick to seal Barcelona's Champions League win over Copenhagen and after a hit and miss start in Spain, the club has reached a verdict on his future.

Currently on-loan from Manchester United, Rashford has shown plenty of willing at Barca although he has not been able to win a regular starting place in the side.

But the club are happy with his performances overall and consider a deal of around £30million with United to be good value for money.

He came off the bench with 20 minutes to go before scoring the free-kick which was the first by a Barca player in the Champions League since Lionel Messi's memorable long-distance set piece back seven years ago.

So far Rashford, 28, has got nine goals and 12 assists which is considered at Camp Nou to be a good return so far from a player who is adapting to life in Spain. And he has managed them playing less than 1,800 minutes.

But Rashford has also been criticised for being hit and miss where he has been capable of scoring memorable goals but also disappearing in matches.

Barca coaches could be seen shouting at him during the Super Cup final in Jeddah because he wasn't getting back and marking Real Madrid players.

In fact his inconsistency and poor reading of games at times have been picked up on frequently.

And before the Copenhagen goal he has not had a great start to 2026. He was substituted against Espanyol after a disappointing first half, he played less than half an hour against Athletic Bilbao and looked off his game against Real Madrid where he also missed a sitter as well as not tracking back.

In the street in the Catalan capital fans are divided about whether it would be money well spent to buy him.

But from the club's perspective they do see him as a popular player in the dressing room and is ready to accept a role as substitute with this humility well appreciated by the coach.