Marcus Rashford has spoken warmly about former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær, calling him the most influential manager of his career. The England international, currently on loan at Barcelona, made the comments in an interview with TV2 ahead of El Clásico on Sunday.
Although Barcelona were beaten by Real Madrid, Rashford continued his good run with another assist — his tenth direct goal involvement of the season. According to Spanish outlets, he has one goal and five assists in La Liga, plus four goals and two assists in the Champions League. That form has reignited discussion around his development at United and the managers who shaped him.
The 27-year-old was asked to reflect on the figure who had the biggest impact during his Old Trafford years, and he didn’t hesitate before choosing Solskjær.
Rashford on Solskjær’s influence
Before the game, Rashford opened up about how much Solskjær meant to him as both a person and a coach. The forward credited the Norwegian for creating an environment that helped him enjoy his football again — and produce his best form for Manchester United.
“Ole is a fantastic person. I loved playing under him. I can speak for many of the players at Manchester United when I say that we enjoyed playing for him.” — Marcus Rashford, via TV2
Rashford went on to add that Solskjær’s era was “a very successful period” in his career and praised the positive, attacking style of football they played together. “He is a fantastic person, and I don’t have a bad word to say about him,” Rashford continued.
When asked whether he still keeps in touch with his former boss, the forward smiled: “Yes, from time to time, but it’s been a while now.”
A look back at Rashford under Solskjær
During Solskjær’s reign between 2018 and 2021, Rashford became a central figure at Manchester United. He made 135 appearances under the Norwegian — more than under any other manager — scoring 55 goals and providing 36 assists. Solskjær’s trust in young players and counter-attacking philosophy suited Rashford’s pace and directness perfectly.
| Stat (2025/26) | Marcus Rashford |
|---|---|
| Appearances | — |
| Goals | 1 (La Liga), 4 (UCL) |
| Assists | 5 (La Liga), 2 (UCL) |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% |
source: Sofascore match data – 28 October 2025
Even though his output this season has been spread across competitions, Rashford’s creativity and pressing have stood out in Barcelona’s setup. Those traits — the drive to attack space and combine quickly — were hallmarks of his United days under Solskjær.
Our View
In our view, Rashford’s words are more than simple nostalgia. They highlight how crucial player-manager relationships can be to performance. Solskjær gave him the freedom to express himself without fear of being benched after a bad game — and that trust helped shape the player we see today.
For Manchester United supporters, this interview offers a reminder of a period when the club’s football was bold, fast, and optimistic. While results didn’t always match the promise, many still see Solskjær’s tenure as a time when the team’s identity felt closest to the United way.
Key Insights
- Marcus Rashford names Ole Gunnar Solskjær his most influential manager.
- The England star says United “played good football” during Ole’s tenure.
- Rashford made 135 appearances under Solskjær, scoring 55 goals and assisting 36.
- The forward has 10 goal involvements this season for Barcelona.
- He still occasionally stays in touch with the Norwegian coach.
What’s Next
Rashford will next feature for Barcelona against Elche on 2 November 2025 as the Catalans look to regain form in La Liga. His creative contributions remain vital as the team push to close the gap on Real Madrid.
For Manchester United fans, Rashford’s comments may spark reflection on a manager who, despite mixed results, left a lasting human impact on the players he led.
👉 Do you think Ole Gunnar Solskjær deserves more credit for Marcus Rashford’s rise?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *