The match between FC Barcelona and Levante UD represented the first big missed opportunity for Marcus Rashford as a player for the Azulgrana team. It should be noted that the new '14' of the Catalan team was coming off 21 minutes against RCD Mallorca, Barça's first match in LaLiga 2025/26.
And in the second match of the domestic competition, the Englishman started the match as a starter on the left wing, moving Raphinha to the attacking midfield position of the Catalan team.
However, this match against the 'Granota' team was not a scenario in which Rashford could shine, and after the first 45 minutes, he was replaced by Dani Olmo, which caused 'Rapha' to return to the left lane.
Rashford fails to shine in Raphinha's position
In this context, Rashford did not have his best night at the Ciutat de Valencia. In fact, despite the fact that the forward had two chances created, none had enough danger to end up in the back of the net.
Likewise, he barely managed to win two out of five duels, while he achieved 100% accuracy in his passes, correctly giving 30/30 and shooting at the goal only once without major threat.
Now, Marcus is aware that to earn a place in Hansi Flick's starting XI, he will have to face the numbers that the '11' manages to register in this new campaign. It should be remembered that Raphinha already scored 1 goal against Mallorca.
While in the past season he managed to score 34 goals, in addition to assisting in 25 opportunities in 57 matches. This results in direct participation in 59 goals for the Barcelona team.
Despite this, the 2022/23 season was a sample of Marcus Rashford's potential, who managed to beat the nets on 30 occasions, in addition to assisting in 12 opportunities in 56 matches.
Therefore, it remains to be seen the performance of the '11' and the '14', who have everything to present a heated fight for the left wing. Of course, Rashford will have to show much more than what he did in Son Moix and what he did in the Ciutat de Valencia
It is not a surprise that Rashford starts as a starter
In this order of ideas, it is not strange that Rashford managed to place himself in Flick's starting XI. And it was a foreseeable scenario that Raphinha would start in some matches as an attacking midfielder.
For this reason, naturally, Marcus would have to assume as a left winger, who although he can also perform as a center forward, the main idea is that he plays in the aforementioned demarcation, since it allows him to move inwards and draw with his skillful leg, that is, the right one.
For the attacking midfield, Barça has Dani Olmo, Fermín López and even Gavi. However, the one who is better will be the one who will be staying with the positions, also including 'Rapha' in this place.
Flick does not want to waste any player who can be differential from minute 1. Since his arrival at Camp Barça, he made it clear that meritocracy would be fundamental.