HANSI FLICK hinted that he wanted to hold on to Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford at the end of the season.
Rashford spent the campaign on loan with La Blaugrana following his United exile under , with the Spanish giants storming to the LaLiga title.
Hansi Flick hinted that he wanted to keep Marcus Rashford beyond the end of his loan spell Credit: Getty
Barcelona chose not to trigger his buy option at the end of last season Credit: Getty
But despite rumours about the club looking to , to , and is set to try and fight his way back into contention under .
Flick admitted he will miss the star, and suggested that the decision on his future was out of his control at the Camp Nou.
He said: “What I can say about Marcus is I appreciate a lot to work with him. Sometimes it’s not always that you do know what happens with the players who are on loan.
“I think our situation is not easy for that, but I appreciate a lot working with him as he’s a fantastic player and fantastic person. I think also the team miss him and I will miss him, but that’s life. This is what we have to accept.”
The manager did, however, praise his £70m replacement, fellow World Cup star , who Flick says is “on fire” to get going at his new home.
The hierarchy had the choice to fork out for Rashford’s buy-option, but apparently preferred to splash the cash on Gordon .
The former Magpies ace did not feature as Barcelona were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw by Birmingham before the Blues claimed a 3-2 penalty shootout victory in front of a sold-out St Andrew’s.
But the 25-year-old was still one of the biggest talking points after Flick revealed just how eager the England international has been since agreeing his move.
Anthony Gordon was brought in to replace the wide talents of Rashford Credit: Getty
The Barcelona boss said: “At the end, comes and from the first call with him when I spoke with him, he’s on fire for Barcelona and he wants to go there and I’m really happy that he is now in our team.”
Gordon arrived after three seasons at Newcastle following his switch from in 2023.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a superb campaign last season for Newcastle, scoring 10 goals – with only (15) and (14) managing more.
One of those strikes came against Barcelona during Newcastle’s 2-1 group-stage defeat at St James’ Park before the Spanish giants eliminated the Magpies 8-3 on aggregate in the last 16 after a 1-1 draw in England and a 7-2 victory at the Camp Nou.
But he will have to wait to make his first contributions in the blue and red after missing out on a thrilling friendly against unusual opposition.
Birmingham took the lead after 31 minutes when August Priske headed home ‘s inviting cross.
Barcelona levelled just before the break after they were awarded a penalty when Christoph Klarer fouled Hamza Abdelkarim, who converted before adding his second shortly after the hour when James Beadle spilled Roony Bardghji’s effort into his path.
The hosts refused to give in and Jhon Solis made it 2-2 after Klarer headed Cochrane’s free-kick back across goal.
Jude Bellingham, set to rival Gordon and Barcelona this season, was in attendance to support his former club Credit: PA
Cochrane then came within inches of a stunning winner when his half-volley crashed against the crossbar before Beadle produced a brilliant late double save to deny Bardghji and Alex Gonzalez.
The game went to penalties, where Birmingham came out on top 3-2.
Scott Wright, and Patrick Roberts converted for the Blues, while Luis Vazquez and Jack Robinson were denied by Aron Yaakobishvili.
Barcelona’s Bardghji saw his effort saved by Beadle, Jordi Pesquer hit the top of the bar, and Brian Farinas was also denied by Beadle as Birmingham secured the shootout victory.
Among those watching from the stands was Gordon’s England team-mate , who wore a Birmingham shirt while sitting alongside his parents Denise and Mark.
The pair will be El Clasico rivals next season, with Bellingham wearing the famous white for ‘s , with Gordon on the opposite team in blue and red.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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