Marcus Rashford dropped by Barcelona as Man Utd issue strikes again hours before match

Marcus Rashford was set to start for Barcelona against Getafe on Sunday evening but the Manchester United loanee was dropped to the bench by Hansi Flick after being late for training

Marcus Rashford was reportedly dropped by Barcelona manager Hansi Flick after turning up late to training. Rashford was pencilled in to start Barcelona’s La Liga home clash against Getafe on Sunday evening, but was left out of the starting line-up.

Just days after netting a superb double against Newcastle in the Champions League, the Manchester United loanee seemed to be reviving his career in Catalonia. But The Athletic, as well as Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, are reporting that Rashford arrived late for the squad’s morning training session ahead of Sunday’s league fixture.

Flick reportedly made it crystal clear to Rashford that punctuality lapses would not be accepted, and delivered the 27-year-old an identical sanction previously imposed on Jules Kounde, Inaki Pena and Raphinha for violating the same rule. Flick has a strict policy of not selecting players to start if they have been late to training or a meeting.

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Ferran Torres was selected in the starting eleven instead, with Rashford dropped to the bench. It isn’t the first occasion that Rashford has been punished for lateness.

During his impressive 2022/23 campaign for United under Erik ten Hag, the Dutchman excluded Rashford from the starting line-up against Wolverhampton Wanderers midway through the season.

Rashford admitted he was dropped to the bench because he overslept. On that occasion, the England international came off the bench to net the winning goal.

Then United manager Ten Hag described the transgression as an “internal disciplinary issue”, choosing to bench Rashford before bringing him on at half-time. Post-match, Rashford admitted: “Yeah, obviously, it is the team rules and I think it is a mistake that can happen.

“I am obviously disappointed not to play, but I understand the decision. I am happy that we have managed to win the game anyway. I think we can draw a line under it and move on.”

When quizzed by TNT about his absence, he confessed: “I was a little bit late for a meeting. I slept in, overslept. It can happen.”

Rashford joined Barcelona on loan for the season in July. The Spanish side have an option to make the move permanent for £30.3million.

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