Improve or we send you back - Hansi Flick reportedly losing patience with ‘shy’ Marcus Rashford

Barcelona are already considering whether to send Marcus Rashford back to Manchester United after a difficult start to his loan spell with the reigning LaLiga champions, according to reports in Spain.

The England forward joined Barça in July on a season-long loan with an option to buy for around £30 million. 

Rashford, 27, had pushed for a move away from Old Trafford after falling out of favour with Ruben Amorim.

 The Catalans moved for him after they failed in their attempts to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams as well as Colombian star Luis Díaz, who ended up signing for Bayern Munich.

In fairness, the Rashford deal was seen as cost-effective, considering the Three Lions star is able to play across the front line. 

However, Spanish outlet El Nacional reports that figures inside the club are already concerned by his lack of impact.

El Nacional described his performances as “completely unnoticed”, and labelled him “shy, imprecise and lost.”

Meanwhile, head coach Hansi Flick has defended the forward publicly. 

After the Levante game he said: “Marcus had some situations in the first half where he showed how good he is and how he can help us. This is, for me, where we have to continue.”

However, reports suggest the German manager has told Rashford he must improve quickly or risk being sent back to Manchester United. 

If Barcelona choose not to make the move permanent, they would reportedly have to pay around €5 million (£4.3m) as part of the loan agreement.

Rashford impressed in pre-season under new coach Hansi Flick, who pushed strongly for his arrival.

He made his La Liga debut as a substitute in a 3-0 win against Mallorca before earning his first start against Levante on 23 August.

Despite looking lively early on, Rashford was substituted at half-time with Barcelona trailing 2-0. 

Flick’s changes, which included bringing on Dani Olmo, helped spark a turnaround as Barça won 3-2 thanks to goals from Pedri, Ferran Torres and an own goal in stoppage time.

Since then, Rashford has started two more league matches but has yet to score or provide an assist. 

If the England international fails to turn around his form in the coming weeks, Barcelona could decide to cut the deal short rather than commit to a permanent transfer.

The coming fixtures will be crucial for Rashford, who must prove he can adapt to La Liga and justify Flick’s faith in him at a club where immediate impact is often the only currency that counts.