Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona out of a need to be happy to play his best football, the on-loan Manchester United forward has said.

Rashford made his official debut for Barca on Saturday, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 win at Mallorca, following his move from Old Trafford last month.

The England international fell out of favour with United boss Ruben Amorim last season and spent the second half of that campaign on loan at Aston Villa, rediscovering some form as he scored four goals and provided five assists in all competitions.

Rashford appeared reinvigorated during his time at Villa Park, and a desire to be able to play with joy fuelled his desire to join the LaLiga champions.

Explaining his decision to leave United, Rashford told SPORT: “I need to be happy to play my best football. For me personally, football is my life. You know? It’s been my life since I was very, very young.

“Actually, I don’t know anything else. So the bond I have, not only with my career but with sport in general, is huge and I don’t expect it to go away. But yes, it’s always good to be happy when you play football. It’s the reason I started in this.

“You never know for sure, but from the beginning I have felt comfortable [at Barca]. On the pitch, of course I’ll learn more with each game. But the starting point is very good.

“The more matches that come, the more I’ll learn. Barca is the easiest place to enjoy and learn football.”

Rashford is learning the language in an attempt to make his transition easier, and he revealed his new team-mates have already decided on a curious nickname.

“When they are having fun with each other, they call me “sweetie”,” he added. “I don’t know what that means, but it’s funny when they talk to you like that

“They know I’m trying to learn Spanish. I think it’s important for me to learn as soon as possible. It’s stimulating. You’re always learning and that’s good.

“Catalan is difficult. I suppose that while I’m here, I’ll learn a little and hope it will help me understand more about Catalan culture, which I also want to do.”