Manchester United supporters have been closely watching the club’s out-of-squad players and loan stars this season, particularly with Ruben Amorim juggling a congested Premier League calendar.
Injuries and rotation have forced United to rethink how they deploy attacking talent.
Fans have also been keeping tabs on international duty performances, as players returning from England, Brazil, or South American squads can influence the team’s momentum for crucial league fixtures.
The debate around player performance and value has expanded beyond the pitch, with social media and football video games now part of the discussion, particularly for rising stars who feature prominently in gaming franchises.
Among those attracting attention is Marcus Rashford, whose move on loan to Barcelona this season has sparked conversation among fans eager to see how he adapts to LaLiga after leaving his boyhood club temporarily.
Marcus Rashford has now discovered his player rating for EA FC 26, the latest edition of the popular football video game formerly known as FIFA, and has responded with humour and dismay.
The winger, returning to the game on loan at Barcelona, saw his overall rating decrease from 81 to 80.
Asked to predict his rating while on England duty during the international break, as seen on the England YouTube channel, Rashford said: “Err, 83 or 82?”
However, he cut a disappointed figure once he removed the sticker, and his international teammate Declan Rice shouted: “What?!”
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Rashford had already seen his attribute scores: 87 pace, 82 shooting, 77 passing, 80 dribbling, 33 defending, and 63 physical.
“I’m not happy with my whole card anyway, so I knew that it’d be low,” he said with a grin.
When asked what he would say to EA, he cheekily replied: “I don’t want to talk to them.”
Rice has been given a rating of 87, while his Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke joins Rashford on 80.
“I’m not going to play with my character, I’m not,” the Barcelona loan star humorously insisted.
“Nah, I’m making a stand. Yeah, I’m not playing with it!”
Rashford has already made three substitute appearances for the Spanish champions in their unbeaten LaLiga campaign.
Last season, he scored seven goals and provided three assists in 24 matches for Manchester United.
During the international break, he netted England’s fifth against Serbia from the penalty spot, taking his Three Lions tally to 18 in 64 caps.
