Rashford watches MU play while preparing for El Clasico with Barca
Rashford was spotted watching United beat Brighton 4-2 as Barcelona arrived in Madrid; the third consecutive win took United into the top four of the Premier League.
The moment Marcus Rashford was glued to his phone after landing in Madrid with Barcelona attracted attention: the 27-year-old striker was said to be watching Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2. While Rashford prepared for his first El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, his former club extended their winning streak to three and moved into the top four of the Premier League.
The moment that caught the eye before El Clasico
Shortly after arriving in the Spanish capital, Rashford appeared in his Barcelona training kit, hood up and focused on his phone screen. Many believed he was watching the Manchester United vs Brighton match live – a detail that shows the unbroken emotional connection between the striker and the club where he grew up.
Barcelona travel to the Bernabeu with a two-point lead over Real Madrid in the La Liga race, making El Clasico a pivotal match for the top of the table.
MU 4-2 Brighton and its consequences
Under manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United exploded early to lead 3-0 with goals from Matheus Cunha, Casemiro and Bryan Mbeumo. Brighton rallied to reduce the deficit to 2-4 thanks to goals from Danny Welbeck and Charalampos Kostoulas, but Mbeumo's late brilliance sealed a 4-2 win.
The three points extended United’s winning streak to three – Amorim’s best since taking over – and propelled the club into the Premier League’s top four. A “control the tempo and the moment” win should boost confidence in the dressing room.
Tactical perspective and mindset
The run of three consecutive wins suggests that United’s system under Amorim is becoming more stable: the team capitalised on an early opener to dictate play, then reacted quickly to Brighton’s pursuit. The fact that different players scored (Matheus Cunha, Casemiro, Bryan Mbeumo) also reflects a wider distribution of goalscoring responsibilities – a positive sign for attacking variety.
As for Rashford, he has just been praised by Barcelona coach Hansi Flick after an impressive performance in the UEFA Champions League against Olympiacos. With Barca closing in on Real Madrid with a 2-point gap, the form and concentration of the attackers – including Rashford – will be key to El Clasico at the Bernabeu.
Notable statistics and milestones
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| MU - Brighton score | 4-2 |
| MU's winning streak under Ruben Amorim | 3 matches |
| MU's position after the match | Enter the top 4 of the Premier League |
| The gap between Barca and Real Madrid in La Liga | Barcelona are 2 points behind. |
| Upcoming El Clasico Venues | Santiago Bernabeu |
| Right to buy Rashford | About 26.2 million pounds |
Fan reaction
- “Marcus Rashford was spotted watching Man United's game while travelling for El Clasico.”
- "He will always be a MU player."
- “Still a true Mancunian.”
- “Once a Red Devil, always a Red Devil.”
Impact and context
The image of Rashford watching MU underlines the emotional connection with Old Trafford, even when he is on loan at Barcelona. On the technical side, the praise from Hansi Flick after the match against Olympiacos shows that the 27-year-old striker is settling in well. Barcelona have the option to buy Rashford after the season for a fee of around £26.2 million - a detail that could shape the player's future.
Looking ahead, El Clasico at the Bernabeu is a major test for Barcelona's La Liga title ambitions. With a two-point gap, the result of the match will have a direct impact on the competition, while MU continues to benefit from the winning momentum to consolidate their position in the top four of the Premier League.