Marcus Rashford Thanks Hansi Flick and Barcelona for England Recall

Marcus Rashford has thanked Hansi Flick and Barcelona after forcing his way back into the England squad for the 2026 World Cup – and then moved quickly to calm a flicker of controversy over Manchester United.

Left out of Euro 2024 after a bruising spell at Old Trafford, Rashford has rebuilt his reputation during a revitalising loan at Camp Nou. A strong season under Flick has pushed him back into the international picture, with Thomas Tuchel naming the forward in his squad for the tournament.

Rashford marked the moment on Instagram with a message that underlined who he feels helped drag him through his difficult spell.

“Special thanks to Unai, Hansi, Thomas, Aston Villa, Barcelona and England for believing in me when things got tough.”

The list was striking. United were nowhere to be seen.

In a world where every omission is treated like a statement, the absence of his parent club did not go unnoticed. Questions surfaced over whether the 26-year-old was sending a pointed message back to Old Trafford after his struggles and eventual loan exit.

Rashford moved quickly to shut that down.

“To make my IG story clear. It’s not a dig of any sort! I’m a MU supporter, and that remains. I was showing gratitude to the clubs and coaches that I have worked with over the past 18 months, they have played a big role in this call up,” he wrote on X.

The clarification underlined two things: his continued attachment to United, and just how important the last year and a half has been in rescuing a career that had stalled. The name-checks for Aston Villa and Barcelona reflected that journey, as did the nods to Unai Emery, Flick and Tuchel.

Looking Ahead

For England, the focus is now firmly on the summer ahead. Drawn with Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the group stage, Tuchel’s side will lean on players arriving in form and full of conviction.

Rashford, back on the biggest stage after a year that reshaped his trajectory, fits that brief.