Rashford and Antony shine in La Liga after Man Utd era
Rashford sealed Barcelona's 3-1 win over Elche, taking his tally to six goals and six assists in 13 games. In Seville, Antony scored twice and provided an assist as Real Betis beat Mallorca 3-0 and said he felt disrespected at Man United.
Last Sunday in Spain, Marcus Rashford and Antony both made a strong impression: Rashford closed out Barcelona's 3-1 win over Elche, while Antony shone with a double and an assist in Real Betis' 3-0 win over Mallorca. Two names once considered "redundant" under coach Ruben Amorim at Manchester United are rewriting their own story in La Liga.
Rashford at Barcelona: efficient, humble and committed
At Barcelona, Rashford scored his third goal in a 3-1 win over Elche, taking his tally to six goals and six assists in just 13 appearances. He was given a standing ovation when he left the pitch in the 74th minute, a sign of the strong reception from the Camp Nou crowd.
After the match, Rashford expressed his humility: admitting he was "not completely satisfied" and "promising to improve". He publicly expressed his desire to stay with Barcelona long-term, calling it "an honor" for any player. Coach Hansi Flick was satisfied but believed Rashford could do better, a recognition of the striker's untapped potential.
In terms of transfers, the buyout clause is said to be around £28m. If his current form can be maintained, this could be a significant win for Barcelona — and a regrettable decision for Manchester United.
Antony at Real Betis: a double, an assist and a message from the past
In Seville, Antony was the standout performer in Real Betis' 3-0 win over Mallorca, scoring twice and providing an assist. It was the second time this season he has scored two goals in a game, a sign that his scoring instincts are returning.
The contrast is stark compared to his time at Old Trafford, where Antony scored just five goals in 62 Premier League games. After the game, he shared in an interview how he felt "disrespected" and even "rude" at Man United, with "nobody saying hello". Although he did not name names, Antony's account suggests a problem with the culture and environment at Carrington that goes beyond the purely professional.
Broader meaning: system or people?
The resurgence of Rashford and Antony in La Liga is a mirror image of Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. When two expensive attackers fail to find a place in the same system, but flourish immediately after leaving, the question becomes straightforward: is the problem personal, or is it the structure and use of players?
On the technical side, the standout data at the moment is output: Rashford has six goals and six assists in 13 games for Barcelona; Antony has at least two doubles for Real Betis, while five goals in 62 Premier League games suggests a mixed picture at Old Trafford. Combined with the psychological factor — the recognition of the Camp Nou crowd and the sense of “disrespect” Antony mentions — the picture raises questions about personnel management and team culture.
In the short term, both Rashford and Antony are proving that they are still valuable football assets. In the medium term, if Rashford maintains his form, a buyout clause of around £28 million could change the risk-benefit assessment for all parties. And further, their stories will be mentioned every time Manchester United look for a solution to the system problem under coach Ruben Amorim.
