Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Marcus Rashford should be back at Carrington from Monday onwards with a massive point to prove, with extra motivation for him to settle in immediately.
After Barcelona snubbed Marcus Rashford, it was expected he would return to Carrington for the 2026/27 campaign under Michael Carrick.
Rashford’s return to Manchester United is not a choice; he instead seems to be settling to remain at the club where he built his name. But he is also happy to do so; he just would have rather stayed in Barcelona.
Assuming he returns to training, Rashford could play for United in the next few weeks for the first-time since 2024, and he returns to a much better environment than the one he left behind.
He might take some time to readapt, but he is an excellent addition to Carrick’s ranks. Rashford also has an incentive to settle fast and get himself back off the mark.
Marcus Rashford #11 of England is seen with his commemorative Bronze winner medal after the FIFA World Cup 26 Bronze Final match between France and England on July 18,2026 at Miami Stadium, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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Marcus Rashford has a redemption date with Ruben Amorim
If Rashford is going to be at United all season, he is probably the best left-wing addition that the club could have made this summer.
He will be eager to prove this to United, and if he needed extra motivation, he has it with his likely first game a week on Saturday against AC Milan and the new Rossoneri boss, Ruben Amorim.
Kobbie Mainoo will be eager to play and impress against Amorim, to prove the head coach wrong for his treatment of him at Old Trafford. So will Rashford after Amorim sold him and publicly humiliated him.
So when United and Milan clash in Poland, Rashford should be eager to play some minutes and show Amorim why he was so wrong about him.
He is a world-class player on his best day, and last season at Barcelona, he showed a consistency that he has only managed a handful of times for United. This was partially mental, with Rashford becoming a more mature player, prompting praise from Rio Ferdinand.
Rashford adds goals, assists, speed, and now league title-winning experience to United’s ranks under Carrick.
While there were issues with Rashford, he never should have been leaving the club; he is a boyhood fan and is on the way to being a legend. Hopefully, this summer is when he revives this, and it could all begin by getting one over on Amorim.
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Michael Carrick can play Rashford in his favoured role
United are preparing to have Rashford as an option on the left wing this season, and by playing the 28-year-old in his favoured role, where he will have lots of possession in and around the box, it will get the best from him.
In 2023, Rashford stated his desire to play left-wing for United to club media, which is exactly where he will play under Michael Carrick.
“[I prefer to play] left-wing, although I feel like [when I play] centre forward, you have less distance to cover to score simple goals,” Rashford began.
“Whereas when you are on the left wing, if you are late, sometimes making the back post is a 20-30 yard sprint.
“If the striker pulls to the back and you’ve got to go across the front, then it’s another 15 yards.
“I prefer the left, I feel like on the left it’s easier to stay in the game,” he added. “From even when I was younger, I always wanted to stay in the game, that’s why I think I struggle playing centre-forward sometimes because I struggle with patience.
“You might not touch the ball for twenty minutes, and then your first touch might be an opportunity to score. You have to be mentally switched on, and it’s almost like being a goalkeeper.
“You might not be involved in the game for god knows how long, but when it’s time to make a save, they have to make it.”
Rashford will be key for United this season; he will soon have fans forgetting the past 18 months. If he is on his game, there are few better.