‘It’s pathetic’ – Ian Wright rages over what he’s heard about Marcus Rashford since Aston Villa exit
Ian Wright has been left fuming by the discourse around Marcus Rashford after his departure from Aston Villa.
Rashford, 27, joined Villa on loan from Manchester United in January and went on to have a productive spell until an injury cut his season short.
Despite this, the impression made by the England international under Unai Emery was enough to earn him a move to Barcelona this summer.
Rashford has since made his Barca debut, where he largely struggled, leaving the Villa Park faithful to think what could have been if he had stayed in B6.
The forward has now made his decision and has been met with some criticism once again, something which has seen an angry Wright spring to the defence of Rashford.
Ian Wright isn’t happy with Marcus Rashford swipes
Things could have been so different if the Villans had qualified for the Champions League and had more financial freedom in the transfer market.
That wasn’t the case, and ultimately Rashford opted to join Barcelona instead of Villa, although it is highly unlikely that his wages would have been accessible in B6.
This has come as a blow to the claret and blue outfit, given how much of a coup he would represent, especially after Rashford’s stunning performance against PSG.
Even with that being said, it did come as a surprise to see the forward land a move to Camp Nou to feature alongside the likes of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
This hasn’t stopped Rashford from once again being subject to negative comments from the press, something which has left Wright fuming on Stick to Football (21 August).
He said: “I was very surprised to hear certain people talking about him. Not only because I want it to happen for him, but this move for him, if it doesn’t happen for you now, it’s never going to happen.
“If you can’t realise that in yourself, you’re a Barcelona player, unbelievable. If the penny doesn’t drop now at Barcelona, you can’t find consistency there, it’s never going to happen.
“Listening to people talk about his material things it’s pathetic. Like his gear, his cars, his clothes, when I listen to people critiquing him, it’s pathetic.”
Rashford can prove fans wrong after Aston Villa exit
There is no getting away from the fact that Barca have huge amounts of quality under Hansi Flick, something which will be difficult to match.
Having reached the Champions League semi-final, before losing against Inter Milan over two legs, there is no hiding away from just how good Yamal, Raphinha and Co. are.
| Stat (2024/25) | Marcus Rashford | Lamine Yamal | Raphinha |
| Appearances | 41 | 55 | 57 |
| Goals | 11 | 18 | 34 |
| Assists | 8 | 21 | 22 |
This is the level that Rashford is going to have to reach, something which many will hope his time at Aston Villa will boost him towards.
Despite a frustrating debut, the Englishman can perform at the highest level as he has proven before in his best days at Manchester United.
This chance to play for a side as good as Barcelona could be the making of the Man United loanee, especially after so many years of stick from elsewhere.
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