Marcus Rashford misses Barcelona training

Marcus Rashford’s decision to swap Old Trafford for Barcelona on loan this summer already looks like the reset he needed.

Rashford joined the LaLiga champions on a season-long deal that includes an option to buy of around £26 million at the end of the season.

Whilst there’s no obligation for Barca to sign him, it does give the Spanish giants a low-cost route to a permanent transfer and United extra room on their wage bill.

Having slipped down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim and ending last season on loan at Aston Villa, the move to Spain has brought Rashford a defined role under Hansi Flick and a return to regular Champions League football.

On the pitch, Rashford has responded.

He struck a brace on his Champions League debut for Barcelona in a 2-1 win away to Newcastle United, then repeated the feat in the 6-1 rout of Olympiacos, underlining why the Catalan side were so keen to secure his signature.

However, Dario AS, as reported by Manchester Evening News, has revealed that Marcus Rashford was absent from Barcelona training on Thursday as the squad reconvened after the international break.

It is claimed the England international missed the session for “personal reasons” with the club’s permission, and that he is expected to rejoin first-team preparations on Friday rather than there being any fresh injury or disciplinary concern.

It’s also understood that Barcelona view the situation as “nothing serious”, with his involvement against Athletic Club at the weekend likely if his return goes as planned.

Rashford’s brief absence comes in the build-up to an historic occasion for Barcelona, as Saturday’s meeting with Athletic is set to be the first competitive fixture back at the redeveloped Spotify Camp Nou after more than two years away.

The stadium will initially reopen at a reduced capacity of 45,401 while work continues towards a final 105,000-seat arena later this decade.

Speaking at an open training session at the revamped ground this week, Rashford described the prospect of finally playing there as “a very nice feeling”.

Marcus Rashford explained that Camp Nou had always been one of his favourite stadiums and that stepping out in Barcelona colours would be “a different feeling” again.

If he is back with the squad as expected, he could yet realise that dream this weekend, with plenty of eyes at Old Trafford tracking how one of their most high-profile academy graduates performs on his new stage.