Marcus Rashford is set to return to Manchester United in the summer after a loan spell at Aston Villa and has sent Ruben Amorim a message as he struggles to secure a permanent exit from Old Trafford
12:19, 22 Jun 2025
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Manchester United, speaks to Marcus Rashford of Manchester United as he prepares to enter the pitch as a substitute during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester United and FK Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford on November 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim froze Marcus Rashford out at Old Trafford(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford has expressed that playing as a central striker feels "becoming more natural" to him after returning to Manchester United.
The England star has returned to Old Trafford following his loan spell at Aston Villa, and has sent Ruben Amorim an intriguing message despite being frozen out by the Portuguese when he arrived at the club.
Rashford's long-term future remains unclear, with his hopes of securing a transfer to Barcelona fading. But now, it appears the forward has effectively pitched himself as the answer to United's search for a new No.9.
Throughout his career, Rashford has primarily operated as a winger; however, he sees his growth into a central striking role as a natural progression, hinting at potential readiness to spearhead the Red Devils' attack.
Consequently, after missing out on target Liam Delap and with Viktor Gyokeres potentially eyeing other clubs, Rashford's conundrum presents him with a chance to prove himself as United’s leading man upfront.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton scoring an own goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 01, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Zohaib Alam - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Rashford suggested he could be the answer to Amorim's problems(Image: Zohaib Alam - MUFC, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Rashford confidently stated: "For me as I've got older, the No.9 position is becoming more comfortable, more natural."
Rashford failed to kick on from his 30-goal campaign in the 2022/23 season under Erik ten Hag, but he showed glimmers of that form during a spell at Villa where he managed to edge out Ollie Watkins in the starting lineup.
The United academy product now faces the challenge of impressing Amorim, who swiftly sidelined him after taking charge. Amorim has also seemingly shown his hand regarding Rashford's future by signing Matheus Cunha and moving to sign Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo.
Amorim previously explained his decision to snub Rashford, saying: "I couldn't get Marcus to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it.
"Sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different. I wish the best to Rashford and to [Villa manager] Unai Emery, and they can connect because he's a very good player."
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After Rashford found form again under Unai Emery at Villa Park, Amorim said: "Sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different."