Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick has suggested Marcus Rashford remains part of his thinking for the upcoming season, offering a positive update on the forward's situation following his return to the club.
Rashford was included in United's travelling squad for Wednesday's pre-season friendly against Leeds United in Dublin, though he did not take to the pitch during the 1-1 draw. The 28-year-old has been reintegrated into first-team training only in the past few days after representing England at the World Cup.
Discussing Rashford's status, Carrick was clear about where the player stands within his squad. "He's our player," Carrick said. "He's come back great, like any other player. I've known him a long time, he gives us something a bit different."
The coach added further detail on the forward's mood since rejoining the group. "He's been in great spirits since he's been back, he's been back two or three days," Carrick said.
Rashford's United career has taken a winding path over the past couple of years. He last appeared for the club in December 2024, before being sent out on loan first to Aston Villa for six months and subsequently to Barcelona for the entirety of last season. His time in Catalonia proved fruitful, as he became part of the Barcelona squad that lifted the LaLiga title. Across 32 league appearances he contributed eight goals and seven assists, while also adding five goals and three assists in the Champions League campaign.
Despite that productive spell abroad, Rashford's long-term future had appeared uncertain heading into this transfer window, with reports linking him to several Premier League sides, including Tottenham Hotspur. However, Carrick's comments now point toward a possible role for the England international at Old Trafford this season.
Attention now turns to United's final pre-season fixture, a meeting with AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland, on Saturday, where Rashford could potentially make his first appearance since returning to the club. Should he feature, the occasion would carry an added layer of intrigue: Milan are managed by Ruben Amorim, the former United head coach under whom Rashford fell out of favor and was ultimately frozen out of first-team contention at Old Trafford.
A reunion between the two, even in a pre-season setting, would inevitably draw scrutiny given the circumstances of Rashford's exit from United's matchday plans under Amorim's stewardship. How Carrick chooses to manage the forward's return, and whether Rashford is given minutes against Milan, will offer early clues as to his role heading into the new campaign.
For now, the message from United's coaching staff is one of optimism. Carrick's remarks suggest the club sees value in Rashford's qualities and is prepared to give him an opportunity to reestablish himself, despite the turbulence of recent seasons and speculation over a permanent departure.
With the Premier League season fast approaching, United will be keen to have their squad options settled, and Rashford's potential involvement adds an intriguing subplot to their preparations. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see whether the forward is handed minutes in Poland, and how he fares if given the chance to face his former manager.
Based on reporting from The Independent.