Marcus Rashford, the on-loan forward from Manchester United, was a surprise omission from Barcelona’s starting lineup in their La Liga clash against Getafe on Sunday, with Spanish media outlets reporting that the decision was linked to his late arrival for a pre-match team meeting.
Despite his stellar performance earlier in the week in the Champions League where he netted a brace against Newcastle, Rashford found himself relegated to the bench by head coach Hansi Flick. Reports indicate that the England international arrived just two minutes late to the mandatory meeting, but Flick’s zero-tolerance stance on discipline left no room for exceptions.
Barcelona, however, did not appear to miss his presence in the first half as they quickly established control. Ferran Torres struck twice before the break, giving the Catalan giants a comfortable cushion. Rashford was eventually brought on at the start of the second half, and he made his mark by providing a crucial assist for Dani Olmo’s goal, sealing a commanding 3-0 victory at Camp Nou.
Flick’s strict discipline policy
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo noted that while Rashford’s lateness was minimal, Flick has made punctuality a cornerstone of his managerial approach. Several Barcelona players, including Inaki Pena, Jules Kounde, and Raphinha, have reportedly faced similar consequences for arriving late to meetings or training sessions. The German coach has made it clear that the same rules apply to every member of the squad, regardless of seniority or status.
A history of lateness issues
This is not the first time Rashford has faced disciplinary measures over punctuality. Back in December 2022, then Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag benched him against Wolves after he overslept and missed a team meeting. On that occasion, Rashford responded by coming off the bench to score the winning goal, a pattern he somewhat repeated against Getafe.
Rashford’s response
Despite the setback of missing out on the starting XI, Rashford showed professionalism and determination, quickly making an impact after being introduced. His assist for Dani Olmo highlighted his quality and ensured Barcelona’s dominance was rewarded with a third goal.
Speaking after the game, Flick downplayed suggestions of disciplinary drama, instead attributing Rashford’s absence from the starting lineup to “rotation” in the squad. However, reports in Spain maintain that his lateness was the deciding factor behind the decision.
The incident has sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some praising Flick’s consistency in upholding rules, while others argue that such strictness might risk alienating key players. Regardless, Rashford’s positive response on the pitch suggests he remains a vital part of Barcelona’s plans moving forward.