Marcus Rashford suffered one of the most embarrassing moments any top level footballer can endure. The Manchester United forward sealed his dream loan switch to Barcelona last week as he attempts to revive his flailing career.
The agreement, which was completed in time for Rashford to jet off to Japan alongside the rest of the Barca squad, provides the La Liga giants with an option to purchase the Englishman for £26million next summer. Rashford’s first pre-season appearance came against Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe on Sunday, where he began the match amongst the substitutes. Flick brought on the 27-year-old for his eagerly-awaited debut after half-time, with Rashford displaying flashes of quality and even working hard to track back in his new Blaugrana colours. Yet, he was swiftly brought back down to earth as boss Hansi Flick took him off after only 33 minutes of action, right after he had played a role in Barcelona’s second goal.
Rashford and left-back Jofre Torrents were replaced by Gerard Martin and Pedro Fernandez, who netted Barca’s third goal. Whilst the substitution would have wounded Rashford’s pride, Flick clarified that his choice wasn’t based on performance, explaining: “Rashford hasn’t played that much, and we also wanted to give Gerard Martin 15 minutes because he was playing after his injury.”
Just seven days earlier, Rashford had been amongst United’s ‘bomb squad’ – the group training in isolation and only permitted to use the club’s Carrington training facility after the first-team squad had left. One player who understands precisely how Rashford would have felt on Sunday is former Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly.
He joined Spurs in 2006 and was used sparingly by then-manager Martin Jol throughout the next campaign. Following spells in and out of the team, the Egyptian was introduced against Blackburn Rovers during the first half of the penultimate Premier League fixture after Steed Malbranque suffered an injury. But, like Rashford, he found himself substituted 31 minutes after his introduction – only his substitution was due to a poor performance.
Unlike Rashford, Ghaly reacted in the most controversial way possible, angrily hurling his shirt onto the ground while departing the field. The gesture angered the Spurs supporters as boos and chants of “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” echoed throughout the ground.
Ghaly faced punishment from the club and was omitted from the matchday squad on the final day of the season, before making a public apology. He said: “I am just so angry with myself. I have always considered it an honour to wear the Tottenham shirt and I never intended to show any disrespect.
“I knew things weren’t happening for me out there, my play was terrible and I could hear the crowd jeering me. I was so upset at the fans’ reaction. I have enjoyed playing in front of the club’s supporters all season and I felt I had given my best all the time and played some decent football.
“It is always hard to accept being substituted after such a short period of time and I was upset and taken aback by the cheering. I am a player who plays with my heart. I know my reaction was totally wrong. I have apologised to the manager and I also want to apologise to the fans. I hope they don’t judge me on this incident alone. I have tried hard for the club this season.”
Despite his attempts at making amends, it proved to be Ghaly’s final appearance for Spurs as he was loaned out to Derby County in January 2008. He returned to north London for the 2008/09 season but didn’t play a single game before his permanent departure. Harry Redknapp considered bringing him on during a January 2009 match against Wigan, but he decided otherwise after hearing the supporters boo Ghaly while he warmed up and readied himself to come off the bench.
Rashford will be keen to avoid such a fate at Barcelona, though he will also be hoping that Flick doesn’t develop a habit of exposing him to further public embarrassment. He has endured his share of disagreements with United bosses Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim over the past two years, incidents he now wants to put behind him.