Marcus Rashford humiliation made me tear my shirt off in anger - I was so upset

Marcus Rashford humiliation made me tear my shirt off in anger – I was so upset

Marcus Rashford suffered the ultimate humiliation on his Barcelona debut - something former midfielder Hossam Ghaly knows all too well after it ended his Tottenham Hotspur career

Marcus Rashford was replaced just 33 minutes into his Barcelona debut (Image: Koji Watanabe, Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford endured one of the most embarrassing moments a professional footballer can face on Sunday.

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The Manchester United forward secured his dream loan move to Barcelona last week as he looks to revive his faltering career. The deal, which was completed in time for Rashford to travel to Japan alongside the rest of the Barcelona squad, provides the La Liga champions with an option to purchase him for £26million next summer.

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Rashford's first pre-season appearance came against Japanese side Vissel Kobe, where he began the match on the substitutes' bench. Hansi Flick introduced the 27-year-old for his eagerly-awaited debut at the half-time break, with Rashford displaying flashes of quality and commitment to his defensive duties in his new Blaugrana colours.

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However, he was quickly brought back down to earth as manager Flick withdrew him after just 33 minutes, right after he had played a key role in Barcelona's second goal. Rashford and left-back Jofre Torrents were replaced by Gerard Martin and Pedro Fernandez, with the latter going on to score Barca's third.

While the substitution would have wounded Rashford's pride, Flick explained that his decision wasn't performance-based, saying: "Rashford hasn't played that much, and we also wanted to give Gerard Martin 15 minutes because he was playing after his injury."

Only seven days earlier, Rashford had been amongst United's 'bomb squad' – a group of players training in isolation and permitted to use the club's Carrington training facility only after the first-team squad had gone home.

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One player who understands how Rashford would have felt this weekend is former Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly. Ghaly joined Spurs in 2006 and was used sporadically by then-manager Martin Jol throughout the 2006/07 campaign.

Hossam Ghaly sparked outrage by throwing his Spurs jersey to the ground after being substituted on and off (Image: Getty Images)

After being in and out of the team, the Egyptian was introduced against Blackburn Rovers during the first half of the penultimate Premier League game of the season, after Steed Malbranque suffered an injury. But similarly to Rashford, he found himself taken off just 31 minutes into his entrance – only his substitution was due to a poor performance.

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In contrast to Rashford, however, Ghaly reacted in the worst manner possible, angrily hurling his shirt onto the floor while leaving the field. The gesture angered the Spurs supporters as boos and chants of "You're not fit to wear the shirt" echoed around the ground.

Ghaly faced disciplinary action from the club and was left out of the matchday squad for the final game of the season, before issuing a public apology. He said: "I am just so angry with myself. I have always considered it an honour to wear the Tottenham shirt and I never intended to show any disrespect.

"I knew things weren't happening for me out there, my play was terrible and I could hear the crowd jeering me. I was so upset at the fans' reaction. I have enjoyed playing in front of the club's supporters all season and I felt I had given my best all the time and played some decent football.

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Rashford showed glimpses of his former form in the cameo (Image: Paul Miller/Getty Images)

"It is always hard to accept being substituted after such a short period of time and I was upset and taken aback by the cheering. I am a player who plays with my heart.

"I know my reaction was totally wrong," he went on to say. "I have apologised to the manager and I also want to apologise to the fans. I hope they don't judge me on this incident alone. I have tried hard for the club this season."

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Despite his attempts at making amends, that proved to be Ghaly's final appearance for Spurs as he was loaned out to Derby County in January 2008. He returned to north London for the 2008/09 campaign but failed to appear in a single match before leaving permanently.

Harry Redknapp contemplated introducing him during a January 2009 clash with Wigan, but the English manager thought better of it after hearing the supporters jeer Ghaly while he warmed up and prepared to come on off the bench.

Rashford will be keen to steer clear of a similar fate at Barcelona, while also hoping that Flick doesn't make a habit of exposing him to public embarrassment. The England star has endured his share of falling outs with United bosses Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim in recent times.

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