Rashford and Antony shine in La Liga after their time at Man Utd.
Rashford sealed Barcelona's 3-1 victory over Elche, bringing his total to 6 goals and 6 assists in 13 matches. In Seville, Antony scored a brace and provided an assist to help Real Betis beat Mallorca 3-0 and said he felt disrespected at Manchester United.
Last Sunday in Spain, Marcus Rashford and Antony both made a strong impression: Rashford sealed Barcelona's 3-1 victory over Elche, while Antony shone with a brace and an assist in Real Betis' 3-0 win over Mallorca. These two players, once considered "surplus" under manager Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, are now rewriting their own stories in La Liga.
Rashford at Barcelona: effective, humble, and committed.
At Barcelona, Rashford scored his third goal in the 3-1 win against Elche, bringing his total to six goals and six assists in just 13 appearances. He received a warm round of applause as he left the pitch in the 74th minute, a sign of the strong reception from the Camp Nou fans.
After the match, Rashford expressed humility, admitting he was "not entirely satisfied" and promising to improve. He publicly stated his desire to stay with Barcelona long-term, considering it "an honor" for any player. Coach Hansi Flick was pleased but believed Rashford could do even better, acknowledging the striker's untapped potential.
In terms of transfer fees, the release clause is reportedly around £28 million. If current form is maintained, this could become a significant advantage for Barcelona — and a regrettable decision for Manchester United.
Antony at Real Betis: a brace, an assist, and a message from the past.
In Seville, Antony was the standout player in Real Betis' 3-0 victory over Mallorca: scoring a brace and providing an assist. This was the second time this season he had scored two goals in a single match, a sign that his goal-scoring instinct is returning.
The contrast is stark compared to his time at Old Trafford, where Antony scored only 5 goals in 62 Premier League games. After the match, he shared in an interview about feeling "disrespected" and even "rude" at Man United, where "nobody bothered to say hello." Although he didn't name names, Antony's account suggests issues with the culture and environment at Carrington, extending beyond purely professional matters.
A broader question: systems or people?
The resurgence of Rashford and Antony in La Liga serves as a mirror test for Manchester United under manager Ruben Amorim. When two expensive attacking players fail to find a place in the same system, but thrive immediately after leaving, the question becomes direct: is the problem with the individuals themselves, or with the system's structure and player management?
From a professional standpoint, the standout data at the moment is output: Rashford has scored 6 goals and provided 6 assists in 13 games for Barcelona; Antony has scored at least two braces for Real Betis, while his 5 goals in 62 Premier League games present a contrasting picture at Old Trafford. Combined with psychological factors — the recognition from the Camp Nou fans and the feeling of "disrespect" that Antony mentioned — the overall picture raises questions about personnel management and team culture.
In the short term, both Rashford and Antony are proving that they remain valuable football assets. In the medium term, if Rashford maintains his form, the £28 million release clause could alter the risk-benefit assessment for all parties involved. And further down the line, their story will continue to be discussed whenever Manchester United seeks solutions to their systemic problems under manager Ruben Amorim.
