Gary Neville Tells Marcus Rashford to ‘Concentrate on Barcelona’ After Dig at Manchester United

Marcus Rashford may have only just swapped Manchester United red for Barcelona’s famous blaugrana, but the England forward has already had plenty to say about his former club. His public criticism of United – claiming the Red Devils are in “no man’s land” and that “the transition hasn’t started” – sparked a fierce reaction this week, with Gary Neville stepping in to remind Rashford of his decade-long stay at Old Trafford.

Neville, speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, didn’t hold back. The former United captain dismissed Rashford’s claims and instead urged the forward to focus on his new adventure in Spain, insisting that Ruben Amorim, United’s new head coach, deserves the time and patience to put his stamp on the team.

Gary Neville Aims Savage Dig at Rashford

The tension stems from Rashford’s parting words after joining Barcelona on loan during the summer. The forward expressed frustration with the lack of direction at Old Trafford and questioned whether the much-talked-about rebuild had even begun.

Neville, however, was quick to shut down those comments:

“Let’s ignore that, because I don’t want to go into Marcus Rashford’s comments tonight,” Neville said. “He was there at the club for 10 years and had his opportunity to impact the club. Ruben Amorim, this year, I think will do a good job. Marcus should concentrate on Barcelona.”

It was a sharp reminder that Rashford, despite his status as a homegrown hero, leaves behind a mixed legacy. He enjoyed highs under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag, but consistency and injuries meant that he never fully established himself as the talisman United hoped he might become. Neville’s words cut to the core – Rashford had ample time to change the course of United’s fortunes, and now, having chosen a fresh start, he should allow the new chapter at Old Trafford to unfold without interference.

A New Era Under Ruben Amorim

RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona – LaLiga EA Sports

If Rashford’s exit was symbolic of a drawn-out transition, Ruben Amorim’s arrival signals a decisive attempt to change course. The Portuguese coach, previously linked with several top clubs, was hired to steer United into a new era after their dismal 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season – a result that shocked even the most patient of fans.

Amorim wasted no time in reshaping the squad. This summer saw United bring in Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig, and highly rated teenager Diego León from Spain. These additions suggest a more modern, aggressive United built on pace, pressing, and fluid attacking play.

While the season’s curtain-raiser – a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal – may not have delivered the perfect start, there were glimpses of promise. Neville himself admitted as much, pointing out that Amorim’s tactical tweaks gave United balance they had been missing for years.

Neville Sees Signs of Progress

Manchester United v Arsenal – Premier League Rashford

Reflecting on the Arsenal game, Neville was upbeat:

“Yesterday was the first time I watched that formation out on Old Trafford, where I thought, ‘Right, we’ve got a chance here, that worked.’ He’d brought in a few different players, he’d got [Mason] Mount back, introduced Luke Shaw at left centre-back, that helped and I think it was the first time… there was a balance! Casemiro looked a better player all of a sudden. Just straight away he looked a better player.”

Those words will resonate with fans desperate to see progress on the pitch. For too long, United have stumbled between philosophies, with squads assembled by different managers pulling in different directions. Amorim’s system – compact out of possession, quick in transitions, and creative in attack – appears to be giving clarity and cohesion to a team that has sorely lacked it.

Rashford’s Barcelona Focus

Meanwhile, Rashford will have his hands full in Catalonia. Barcelona are themselves in transition, attempting to build a squad capable of competing at the very highest level while navigating financial constraints. Rashford arrives with pressure on his shoulders – he’s not only expected to rediscover his best form but also to prove that United’s decision to move him on was a mistake.

Neville’s reminder to “concentrate on Barcelona” may be blunt, but it reflects the reality of top-level football. Once a player leaves a club, especially after ten years, their words about the old employer carry less weight. Rashford will know that the best way to silence critics – whether in Manchester or beyond – is to deliver on the pitch for Barça.

A Big Test Ahead for United

For United, the immediate challenge is bouncing back from the Arsenal defeat. Their trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham this weekend is a chance to get points on the board and build momentum. Amorim’s men will need the same energy and sharpness that Mbeumo and Cunha showed on debut, with Šeško also expected to play a bigger role in the coming weeks.

This United project remains a work in progress, but for the first time in years, there’s a sense that the pieces might finally fit. Rashford’s comments about “no man’s land” may sting, but Neville’s counter-argument – that the forward had his chance and it’s now time to move on – feels fair. The club is trying something new under Amorim, and while the road will be bumpy, there’s cautious optimism that things may at last be moving in the right direction.

Final Thoughts

Gary Neville’s “10 years” dig at Marcus Rashford may have raised eyebrows, but it summed up the mood among many United fans. Rashford gave plenty to the club, but his departure and criticism come at a time when patience is thin. Now, with Amorim at the helm and new signings beginning to settle, the focus must shift away from what was lost and towards what could be built.

United may have stumbled on the opening day, but if Neville is right, there are reasons to believe better days lie ahead. As for Rashford, the best response he can give is not in interviews about Manchester United – but in goals and performances for Barcelona.