Marcus Rashford has once again found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. The England international forward was handed a disciplinary punishment by Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick after arriving late to a scheduled team meeting. As a result, Rashford was dropped from the starting XI in Barcelona’s La Liga clash against Getafe, despite being initially penciled in to start.
This setback came just days after Rashford’s heroics in the UEFA Champions League, where he scored twice to secure Barcelona’s vital victory over Newcastle United. The timing of the punishment has sparked conversation among fans and pundits, especially since Rashford has a history of similar disciplinary lapses during his time at Manchester United.
Hansi Flick’s No-Nonsense Approach to Discipline
According to reports from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Rashford turned up late to the team’s morning briefing ahead of the Getafe fixture. Flick, who has established a strict set of rules since arriving at Camp Nou, responded immediately by removing Rashford from the starting lineup and relegating him to the bench.
Flick’s decision not only highlights his uncompromising stance on discipline but also reinforces a clear message to the entire squad: no player is above the rules. This is not the first time Flick has enforced such standards. Earlier in the season, players like Jules Kounde, Raphinha, and Inaki Peña also received similar punishments for breaching team guidelines.
With Rashford sidelined, Ferran Torres was promoted to the starting XI to lead the frontline. The incident underlines Flick’s determination to instill a culture of professionalism and accountability at Barcelona as the club continues its transition under his leadership.
A Reminder of Rashford’s Past at Manchester United
For Rashford, this disciplinary episode feels like déjà vu. Back in the 2022/23 season, during his Manchester United days, he was dropped by then-manager Erik ten Hag for being late to a pre-match team meeting before a Premier League game against Wolves.
The reason? Rashford overslept and missed the scheduled gathering, forcing Ten Hag to leave him out of the starting XI. Ironically, Rashford redeemed himself that day by coming off the bench to score the winning goal, sealing a 1–0 victory for United.
After the match, Ten Hag confirmed the matter was an “internal disciplinary issue,” while also praising Rashford for responding positively on the pitch. The incident became a defining moment in Rashford’s career, showing both the risks of indiscipline and the resilience he possessed to bounce back quickly.
Lessons from the Past and Rashford’s Own Admission
Following the Manchester United incident, Rashford did not shy away from responsibility. He openly admitted his mistake during a post-match interview, accepting Ten Hag’s decision as fair and necessary.
“Yes, obviously it’s the team rules and it’s a mistake that can happen,” Rashford told TNT Sports at the time. “Of course, I was disappointed not to play, but I understand the decision. The important thing is that we won the game, and I think we can draw a line under it and move forward.”
When pressed further, Rashford revealed the cause was simply that he overslept—a very human error but one that carries heavy consequences at the elite level of football.
Rashford’s Future at Barcelona
Now at Barcelona, Rashford finds himself facing a similar situation. For a player of his caliber and reputation, repeated disciplinary lapses could tarnish his image if not addressed. However, under Hansi Flick’s strict regime, this incident may serve as another valuable lesson—reminding Rashford that professionalism off the pitch is just as important as brilliance on it.
Fans will be eager to see how Rashford responds. His ability to bounce back with performances on the pitch could once again turn the narrative in his favor, just as it did at Manchester United. Still, Barcelona supporters and management alike will be expecting him to learn from the past and avoid letting history repeat itself.
As Barcelona pushes for domestic and European glory this season, keeping star players like Rashford fully committed, disciplined, and focused could make the difference between silverware and disappointment.
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