England manager Thomas Tuchel has heaped praise on Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford as he continues to shine during his loan stint at Barcelona. The 27-year-old forward was loaned out to the Spanish giants in July on a season-long deal after falling out of favour with Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
Barcelona have an option to secure Rashford’s services permanently for £30million in 2026. Following the September international break, Rashford has been catching the eye with his exceptional displays, sparking speculation that Barca are eager to tie down the England international on a permanent basis, though for a slightly reduced sum of approximately £26m.
Rashford’s existing deal at Old Trafford runs for another three years. He penned the contract in July 2023 after a stellar campaign where he found the net 30 times for United.
And Tuchel has now voiced his opinion on the potential peaks Rashford could still achieve in his career as he reminded United of the high quality of player they’ve let leave. “He can be one of the best in the world because of the quality I see in training, the finishing with both legs and with the head,” Tuchel said.
“He is explosive, he is fast, he is strong in the air, so where are the limits? There are no limits – but the numbers don’t reach the potential. He needs to push himself into goal involvements, that means goals and assists, it is as easy as that.”
Tuchel added: “[Consistency] is the headline for him – and to keep on pushing himself to the limit. I think the limit for him is very, very high. Maybe higher than for others. He has the potential but potential is a dangerous word with high-level sports.
“You have to reach your personal best on a regular basis, that is what is demanded on this kind of level and that is the challenge for him.
“It’s not a question of talent, it’s a question of whether he can prove the point at club and international level. This is his task, whether he starts for us or comes off the bench, he has to constantly prove himself.”
When quizzed if Rashford’s career was still on the right trajectory, Tuchel added: “He still has to make these decisions. He is still in that moment, he is still young enough to take the right decisions and not let go. Because, otherwise, he will be disappointed in 10 years at what could have been and what he made of it.”