Hansi Flick said that Barcelona will miss Marcus Rashford next season as the England international prepares to return to the fold at Manchester United. 

Earlier this week, Rashford thanked Barcelona for the "special memories" during his season-long loan with the club he helped retain their LaLiga title in 2025-26. 

The 28-year-old registered 25 goal involvements (14 goals, 11 assists) in 49 appearances across all competitions, the fourth-highest total in Barcelona's squad. 

His loan from United included a reported €30m (£26m) option to buy, but the June 15 deadline for Barcelona to make that move permanent has passed. 

Instead, Barcelona have chosen to sign Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, while they are also heavily linked with Julian Alvarez. 

Flick, however, expressed his gratitude for Rashford's contributions during his time with the Blaugrana, saying: "What I can say about Marcus is I appreciated working with him. 

"Sometimes it's not always that you don't know what happens with players who are on loan.

"Our situation is also not easy, but I appreciate him a lot having worked with him. He's a fantastic player, a fantastic person. 

"I think also the team miss him. I will miss him, but that's life."

Flick's comments came after watching Barcelona play out a 2-2 draw with Birmingham City in a pre-season friendly, with the Championship side winning 3-2 on penalties.

Hamza Abdelkarim scored twice on his debut for the LaLiga giants, while fellow summer signing Karim Adeyemi also impressed at St. Andrew's. 

"In training, I am seeing Karim at a much higher level," Flick said. "His explosive pace and eye for goal are his primary assets, and it is encouraging to see him adapting so well.

"He possesses enormous potential, and I believe he can be a real difference-maker for the team."

Many of Barcelona's squad are still absent following the World Cup, with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Pedri all still enjoying Spain's victory at the tournament. 

Another player also missing for Barcelona is Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in La Roja's 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final. 

Ferran has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, with his contract at Barcelona running out at the end of the upcoming campaign.

He has impressed for Barcelona, scoring 65 goals across 207 appearances in all competitions, with his 21 goals in 2025-26 his best return in a single campaign of his career.

Flick, however, pushed back rumours linking Ferran with a move away, saying: "We hope and fully expect Ferran to be with us this season.

"He is currently on holiday and I respect that time. He has every right to enjoy it.

"He is, without a doubt, a key member of our squad and proved on several occasions last season just how vital he is to us.

"That is the standard we expect from him, and we want him to stay here."