Marcus Rashford singled out by Hansi Flick as Barcelona star hands in transfer request

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is on a season-long loan with Barcelona where he has impressed manager Hansi Flick.

Hansi Flick has praised Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford’s dedication to Barcelona following the shock decision by young prospect Dro Fernandez to hand in a transfer request. The 18-year-old has reportedly triggered his own £5.1million release clause in an attempt to force through a departure this month.

Paris Saint-Germain are considered frontrunners for his signature, whilst Manchester City, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund have also been mentioned as potential destinations. The midfielder has featured five times under Flick, who handed him his senior debut earlier this campaign.

However, Fernandez is determined to leave Barcelona, catching the club completely off guard with his stance. Flick appeared clearly frustrated when addressing the matter during his pre-match media briefing ahead of Sunday’s fixture against Real Sociedad.

The German manager emphasised that he only wants players genuinely committed to representing Barca – citing Rashford as a prime example. Suggesting he wishes to secure the forward permanently when his season-long loan from United comes to an end, Flick highlighted Rashford’s mentality as exemplary.

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“Marcus’ performances have been really good until now, so we have to manage it, but it’s [sporting director] Deco’s job do things for next season,” he said “We have to wait.

“We have months to go. For me, of course with Marcus we have a player on the top level, but also with our situation, and what I appreciate a lot from him [is his desire to be here].

“This is what I want to say to young players from La Masia: We are Barca and we are one of the best teams in the world.

“We give them the opportunity to train with us, to grow, to train with the best players in the world, the support and the confidence.

“If you want to play with Barca, then it has to be 100 per cent with your whole heart. This is what I want to say to everyone: 100 per cent. These colours, you have to live for them. All the others, I don’t want.”

The former Bayern Munich boss was so agitated that he had to bite his tongue when discussing Fernandez’s potential departure. “I said before with Dro, if it’s not done I will not answer this question, but it’s football,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s like that, that, yes, you do not agree with what they are doing, but they are 18, they are old enough to make decisions, they have people around them. Of course, when I see like…no, no, I don’t want to talk anymore, it’s enough.”

Fernandez arrived at Barcelona aged 14, in 2022, with observers drawing parallels to team-mate Pedri and former star Thiago Alcantara. He made his Champions League bow in October, setting up a goal as Barca demolished Olympiacos 6-1.

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