"I said WOW! What a player" — Hansi Flick puts faith in Man United reject to fill Lamine Yamal void against Newcastle

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has placed his trust in Marcus Rashford to replace injured teenager Lamine Yamal when the Catalans face Newcastle in their Champions League opener on Thursday.

The 27-year-old forward joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United this summer and has already begun to make his mark.

Rashford provided a spectacular assist in the 6-0 demolition of Valencia at the weekend and is now set to be handed greater responsibility in Europe.

Flick, speaking at his press conference in Newcastle on Wednesday, praised Rashford’s impact since arriving at Camp Nou. 

“I really follow Marcus (Rashford) since he started with Manchester United. And I always said, ‘Wow! What a player he is!’” the German was quoted to have said as per The Irish Independent.

“He has speed, but also, in one-against-one situations, it’s really fantastic. And also finishing, it’s unbelievable. What I saw from him in the first weeks here, it’s very good. And I think also he still has potential to show us more.”

Yamal, 18, has been one of Barcelona’s brightest sparks this season with two goals and two assists in LaLiga. 

However, the winger suffered a groin injury on international duty with Spain and will miss the trip to St James’ Park. 

According to reports, he is also a doubt for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture against Getafe.

Barcelona are further hampered by the absence of Alejandro Balde, Gavi and long-term casualty Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

However, Frenkie de Jong has returned to fitness and was named in the squad to face the Magpies. 

Flick insisted his squad has enough depth to cope with Yamal’s absence, underlining Rashford’s readiness to step in. 

“We all know that Lamine (Yamal) is not playing against Newcastle, maybe not on Sunday (against Getafe),” Flick said. 

“But at the end, we have a strong team and in his position we have Marcus Rashford. If someone up front cannot play, he can step up and play like he showed on Sunday against Valencia. That is how good he is. I hope that he can show in England the same performance he did on Sunday.”

The clash at St James’ Park will be Barca’s first Champions League group game.

Flick acknowledged the strength of the Premier League sides in this year’s competition but expressed confidence in his own squad’s chances.

“I’m not thinking about who the favourite is (to win the Champions League this season). There are some very good teams, mainly coming from the Premier League,” Flick told reporters. 

“What we saw against Valencia was very positive. We are playing well in all areas. With this confidence, it is important to play tomorrow. They are very strong, but we are confident.”

Barcelona face Newcastle on Thursday evening before returning to LaLiga action against Getafe at the Estadi Johan Cruyff Sunday, September 21.