Marcus Rashford Barcelona rumours are 'damaging' as Man Utd return is discussed

Louis Saha reckons the chatter surroundingMarcus Rashford'srocky beginning at Barcelona is 'extremely damaging' after hisManchester Uniteddeparture.

The 27-year-old, who departed Old Trafford on loan in the summer, is eager to revive his career after a brief stint atAston Villa last season. In Spain, he suffered a sluggish beginning, managing no goals or assists in his opening three La Liga outings, fuelling whispers of a potential January return to Manchester.

Chatting to Flashscore, who provide the latest bookmaker offers, Saha warned it could prove harmful for the player, who is desperate to silence his doubters. "It would be extremely damaging for Marcus Rashford if Barcelona ended his loan," he said.

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"Even the talks, the rumours are really bad already. The thing is that we know that he's back in the England squad, he has appreciation from people who know football and understand that there is a big World Cup coming soon. So I wish him the best. That's for sure that he needs to play, maybe better to shut down all these rumours coming from Barcelona.

"There is a moment where I see the rush for maybe sometimes from the frustrated side. There is a moment that he has to take control back of his career. Yes, you could find some excuses because things happened in Manchester and so on. But at some point you have to look at the mirror and there will be something that you are not doing and that's it."

"Whether you're chuffed or at ease discussing it, it's all well and good, but it's on the pitch where you need to really cement everything and ensure there's no room for doubt. There's a talented lad playing there, I don't reckon he's being questioned. There's something Rashford needs to do."

Rashford chalked up an assist in Barcelona's 6-0 thrashing of Valencia last weekend, with Saha adding: "It's a fresh start. It's a new environment. It's a different league, a new language. So there are loads of things you have to adapt to and people need to understand that.

"Perhaps the journos are spreading these sorts of rumours, we have to wait and see what the gaffer thinks about him. And that's that.

"But he has to be resilient, those types of challenges will come. People want him to hit rock bottom. This is when they can critique. But I'm certain that Rashford is going to net goals, he's going to assist and hopefully he'll make the England squad and perform there as well."

The Spanish heavyweights have the option to make Rashford's move permanent next summer.

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