Marcus Rashford officially joined FC Barcelona on a season-long loan from Manchester United, marking a historic move as he becomes the first Englishman to wear the No. 14 shirt since Gary Lineker. After an underwhelming stint at Aston Villa and a challenging final season at United, Rashford is looking for a fresh start—and he seems to have found it in Barcelona’s dynamic new setup under Hansi Flick.
Preseason Drama Settled: Match Confirmed for July 27
Barcelona’s friendly against Vissel Kobe was briefly thrown into uncertainty due to a contractual dispute with the event organizers in Japan. But with those issues now resolved, the highly anticipated match is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the Noevir Stadium in Kobe. This fixture is part of Barça’s preseason Asia tour, which also includes a stop in South Korea.
Will Rashford Start?
Despite fans hoping to see Rashford in the starting XI, early reports suggest that Hansi Flick is likely to begin the match with him on the bench. Barcelona are expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a front four featuring Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and either Robert Lewandowski or Ferran Torres leading the attack.
This doesn’t mean Rashford won’t feature. In fact, all indications point to him making his debut in the second half, as part of a planned rotation to manage fitness levels and integrate him gradually into the squad’s playing style.
Tactical Considerations and Fitness Management
Having just joined the club and with limited time to adapt to Flick’s tactical philosophy, Rashford may be eased into competitive action. Barcelona’s coaching staff are reportedly pleased with his physical condition, and the second half of the Vissel Kobe match presents the ideal window for a debut appearance.
Given the demands of long-haul travel and the need for squad depth over the tour, fans should expect plenty of rotation—and that means Rashford will likely get meaningful minutes even if he doesn’t start.
