Marcus Rashford's New Chapter at Manchester United

Marcus Rashford looks set to be handed a fresh chapter at Manchester United under Michael Carrick, with the head coach making it clear the forward is firmly in his thoughts for the new season.

Rashford travelled with the squad for Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United in Dublin but stayed on the bench, his presence alone enough to stir curiosity among United supporters who have not seen him in the club’s colours since December 2024.

Carrick, though, left little room for doubt.

“He's our player. He's come back great, like any other player. I've known him a long time, he gives us something a bit different,” the United boss said, underlining both familiarity and renewed trust. “He's been in great spirits since he's been back, he's been back two or three days.”

The 28-year-old arrives back at Old Trafford with his reputation restored after a productive year away. He spent the second half of the 2023-24 campaign at Aston Villa before joining Barcelona on loan for last season, where he played a part in a title-winning side.

In Spain, Rashford forced his way into a star-studded Barcelona team and delivered. He scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 32 LaLiga appearances, then added five goals and three assists in the Champions League, numbers that reminded Europe of his cutting edge. He returned to training with United this week after his World Cup commitments with England, carrying the confidence of a player who has proved he can thrive at the highest level.

That form inevitably attracted interest. Several Premier League clubs tracked his situation earlier in the transfer window, with Tottenham Hotspur among those linked with a move. For now, though, Carrick’s stance is clear: Rashford belongs to United, and United intend to use him.

The next step could come quickly. Rashford is in contention to feature in Saturday’s final pre-season friendly against AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland, a stage that offers both a gentle reintroduction and a sharp narrative twist.

On the opposite bench is Ruben Amorim, the former United manager who froze Rashford out before the forward’s departure. The possibility of Rashford lining up against the coach who sidelined him adds an extra edge to what is usually a routine warm-up fixture.

A year ago, Rashford’s United future looked uncertain. Now he stands on the brink of a return, backed by his manager, buoyed by a title-winning spell at Barcelona, and facing the chance to rewrite his story at Old Trafford.