Robert Lewandowski hails ‘perfect’ Marcus Rashford as Barcelona close in on title

Marcus Rashford’s future at Barcelona is undecided but he has one big fan in Robert Lewandowski.

The legendary Polish striker headed home a stunning cross from the England international to help the Catalans to a vital 2-1 win over Osasuna.

Getty

Barca, managed by German boss Hansi Flick, are now 14 points clear of rivals Real Madrid, who have a game in hand to reduce the arrears back to 11.

That means Rashford, on loan from Manchester United this season is one step closer to a first-ever league title.

And teammate Lewandowski was full of praise for the 70-cap England star as his pinpoint cross helped Barcelona get over the line.

What did Robert Lewandowski say?

He said: ”I saw that Rashford could cross. It was a very good ball for a striker. For me, it’s very important to receive balls in the box.

“I’m very happy to win today and to score an important goal, the 0-1. We had to fight until the end and before the match we talked about how winning here wasn’t easy. In the first half we played slowly with the ball and better in the second.”

He also said, per journalist Fabrizio Romano: “Rashford has incredible crossing ability. Sometimes, it’s not about power, it’s about perfect precision.

“I’m a striker, and I can tell you that ball was beautiful. It was perfect for me to slot it in”.

Lewandowski’s praise for Rashford

Lewandowski has been effusive with his praise for Rashford across the season too.

In an interview with Sky Sports he was asked if he was surprised by Rashford’s quality.

He replied: “After a few training sessions, no. He has huge potential. He has everything. He has speed, he has technique, he has a shot, he has left foot, right foot, skills…

Getty

“But Marcus is the guy, if you give him confidence and he sees that you believe in him, he can give you back 200 per cent.

“He’s a very nice guy. We spoke because we are sitting in the dressing room beside [each other]. We also play ping-pong. I see that this guy is very kind, very nice guy but also because of this he needs someone standing behind him.

“If he does have this confidence he can really play his best football and on the best level.”

What did Rashford say?

Rashford, who now has seven goal and seven assists in the league, was asked about his superb cross after the match but remained coy, insisting he was only doing his job.

“My assist to Lewandowski? Well, Barca signed me to help win titles, and that’s what I’ll try to do until the end,” he said.

When Barcelona lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in last October’s El Clasico, Rashford had warned critics that a long season was still ahead.

Getty

And as the Blaugrana close in on the title, he added: “As I said, La Liga is a marathon, not a sprint, and now we’re already close to arriving first at the finish line.”

Should Barcelona sign Marcus Rashford?

Barcelona do have a clause in their deal with Manchester United to sign the player.

It’s understood to be for around £30million at the end of the season.

And it could be that Lewandowski’s probable Nou Camp exit paves the way for a Rashford deal.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Brassell explained: “I do think he’s probably the most sensible financial deal out there.

“He’s maybe the cheapest financial deal out there. They may even loan him for an extra year.

Getty

“He’s taken a fair hit on his wages and if United are keen on moving him on permanently and if something can be worked out, it feels like one of the best deals out there for Barcelona because they know he works there already. There’s not as much risk as there would be buying a player fresh.

“I think if they go out there and try and buy someone of Marcus Rashford‘s quality on the open market, it’s going to be a heck of a lot more expensive.

“We’ve got to bear in mind as well that next season, they’ll probably, almost certainly, have Robert Lewandowski‘s wages off the books.”

Interim Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, though, has left the door open for a Rashford return.

Asked about Rashford’s future at the club, Carrick told reporters earlier this year: “I just think there’s decisions to be made in time, really, on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation.

“But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided. And it will be, because it has to be at a certain point, but at this stage, there’s nothing to say. I think to comment either way at this stage is just not the right thing to do, because there’s uncertainty.

Getty

“Certainly from my perspective, whoever’s here, I want to work with, make the best out of, and help them improve.

“So, at the moment, it’s this squad of players, and there’s obviously players on loan. Whatever happens with that later on will happen.

“But certainly, as a coach, and as a leader of a squad, we want to get the best out of everyone as much as we possibly can, for sure.”