On-loan Man Utd star Rashford tells Barcelona he wants to extend stay

MARCUS RASHFORD has revealed he wants to stay at Barcelona for longer as he prepares for the ‘biggest game in world football’, El Clasico.

The on-loan Manchester United star picked out Lionel Messi’s 2007 hat-trick as his favourite memory as he gears up to face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

England ace Rashford is on a season-long loan but Barca have the option to make the deal permanent next summer.

Asked if Rashford, who has hit five goals in 12 games, wanted to stay beyond the temporary spell, the 27-year-old replied: “Oh yeah, for sure.

“I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player it’s an honour.”

The England forward has a contract at Old Trafford until 2028 but was bombed out by United boss Ruben Amorim.

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He told ESPN: “People forget this, but 24, 23 years of my life was with Manchester United, so sometimes you just need a change. I think maybe this is the case with me and I’m enjoying everything.”

Rashford is raring to go for Sunday’s clash with LaLiga rivals Real Madrid and England team-mate Jude Bellingham.

He recalled Messi, at the age of 19, scoring a stunning treble in an absorbing 3-3 Nou Camp showdown 18 years ago.

Rashford added: “It’s my first Clasico and I’m looking forward to it because it’s maybe the biggest game there is. I’m from Manchester, so it’s not the biggest game in Manchester. It’s the most watched game in the world.

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“It’s just that big of a game that is important, if you want to learn from the best players, especially how to be so good in the most pressured moments, you have to study these games.

“To remember one memory is difficult. You watch all the El Clasicos from history. You try to learn from the best players, especially in the most pressure moments.

“I remember, for example, Messi’s hat trick in his early days in El Clasico. These games are fantastic to watch because you don’t have to be a Barcelona or Real Madrid fan to enjoy this game.”

Rashford netted twice in the 6-1 midweek Champions League home win over Olympiacos.

But Hansi Flick’s men trail Real by two points in the domestic title race and Rashford has belief in his team-mates.

He said: “The team is fantastic. We have to keep continuing and keep pushing to be the best version of ourselves.

“I expect the atmosphere to be really good. For our team it’s also important to control the game as much as possible. We’ll do what we always do and try to win.

“These games are fantastic to watch. And it’s great because you don’t have to be a Barcelona or Real Madrid fan to enjoy this game. It’s a special game.”