Just days after delivering a standout performance against Newcastle in the Champions League, Marcus Rashford found himself benched by Barcelona for disciplinary reasons. The Manchester United loanee, who had been enjoying a promising run of form, was sidelined for arriving late to a crucial team meeting ahead of Barça’s La Liga clash with Getafe — a decision that echoed past incidents in his career.
Rashford’s Time at Barcelona Hits a Bump
After joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United in the summer — with an option for the move to become permanent — Rashford was aiming to reignite his career under Hansi Flick. Despite some early inconsistencies and even speculation about an early loan termination, the England forward silenced critics with a brilliant two-goal display in the Champions League against Newcastle.
However, his momentum hit a snag over the weekend when he was noticeably absent from the starting lineup in Barça’s 3-0 victory over Getafe. According to Mundo Deportivo, the reason wasn’t tactical — it was disciplinary.
The Incident: Two Minutes Too Late
Reports out of Spain suggest that Rashford was benched for arriving “a little late” — just two minutes — to a scheduled pre-match team meeting. Although he wasn’t late for the training session itself, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick enforces a strict rule: anyone arriving late on matchday doesn’t start, regardless of status or recent performances.
The delay reportedly stemmed from Rashford completing required digital forms for the club, a daily routine task. But Flick made no exceptions, choosing instead to uphold discipline within the squad.
Flick Downplays the Decision Publicly
Despite reports of the disciplinary action, Flick publicly framed the benching as part of squad rotation. “For Rashford, it’s normal not to play,” he told the media post-match. “Matches are every three or four days. We have to manage minutes.” He emphasized the importance of team focus and praised his side’s overall performance.
The manager avoided delving into the specifics of the late arrival, instead spotlighting the collective effort that led to the convincing 3-0 win.
Echoes of the Past: A Familiar Pattern
This isn’t the first time Rashford has been dropped for tardiness. Back in December 2022, then-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag benched him for oversleeping, although Rashford redeemed himself by coming off the bench to score the match-winner against Wolves. Rashford’s professionalism has previously come under scrutiny at United, with former manager Ruben Amorim even preferring a coaching staff member over starting the England forward.
What’s Next for Rashford?
While this incident may appear minor, it adds to the narrative of Rashford’s ongoing battle to maintain professionalism and consistency. His ability on the pitch is unquestionable — as his recent brace against Newcastle proved — but discipline remains under the microscope, especially as Barcelona consider making his loan move permanent.
With a packed fixture list and competition for places heating up, Rashford will need to stay sharp both on and off the field to ensure he remains a key part of Flick’s plans.
