Rashford's six-word message after Man Utd's draw with Barcelona says everything about him right now

Marcus Rashford's six-word message after Manchester United’s draw with Barcelona sums up the player’s elite attitude.

United contested a thrilling 2-2 draw with Barcelona in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie.

Having previously met in two Champions League finals, both of which were won by the Catalan giants, their encounter in Europe’s second-tier competition was a marker of both teams’ relative decline.

Nevertheless, they served up a classic. Xavi's men grabbed the opener through Marcos Alonso only for United to respond immediately through the in-form Rashford.

The 25-year-old was involved again as United took the lead. The forward’s cross was turned into his own net by Barcelona defender Jules Kounde.

Yet, United were unable to hold on as Barcelona winger Raphinha’s cross sailed over David De Gea and found the net.

Rashford’s six-word message

United welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford for the second leg next Thursday, with the winner set to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League.

While a 2-2 first-leg draw has widely been considered a good result for both sides, Rashford took to Twitter after the game expressing his disappointment that the Old Trafford club could not claim a win at the Camp Nou.

Rashford wrote: “Disappointed to only get a draw.”

The England striker equalled his career-best goal-tally for a United season on Thursday.

The forward has now notched 22 goals and claimed eight assists in his 35 appearances this term. Indeed since the return of domestic football after the World Cup he has netted 14 goals in 16 games.

Speaking to BT Sport at full-time Rashford added: “It feels like a loss. I think we did well to get back in the game, the first half was probably a little bit in favour of them.

“But I think we stayed calm, we stayed composed, and we tried to create chances when we could. In the second half, we scored two goals in quick succession and we felt in control of the outcome.

“But they’re a good team with top players and they managed to get an equaliser.”

United midfielder Bruno Fernandes expressed a similar degree of disappointment at the result.

The Portugal international tweeted: “Disappointing result for what we have done today.”

Topics: Football, Marcus Rashford, Manchester United, Barcelona, Europa League, Bruno Fernandes

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.