Marcus Rashford reports back at Manchester United with comeback plans taking shape

Marcus Rashford has returned to Manchester United and is determined to revive his career at Old Trafford, despite a turbulent three-year spell at the club.

The 28-year-old reported to United’s Carrington training complex early on Sunday before flying to Dublin at 11:00 BST with his team-mates to join the squad at their training camp.

Sources told The Sun that Rashford is intent on making a fresh start at the club he joined as a child, after spending last season on loan at Barcelona.

Rashford has not played for Manchester United since 12 December 2024, when then-manager Ruben Amorim took issue with his conduct. However, he could return to the squad for United’s match against AC Milan, managed by Amorim, in Poland on Saturday.

He had been without a squad number after Matheus Cunha was given the number 10 shirt last year. If Rashford remains at Old Trafford when the new season begins, he is expected to wear number 14.

The forward’s return comes as uncertainty continues over his long-term future. Rashford publicly expressed a desire to remain in Catalonia permanently after his loan spell at Barcelona, but the Spanish club opted not to exercise a £26m purchase option.

Barcelona instead signed England winger Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United for £69m.

Rashford is Manchester United’s highest-paid player, earning £325,000 a week, and has two years remaining on his contract. His wages have prevented a move from being completed so far this summer, although several major clubs are still looking for a winger.

United have cancelled plans for an open training session at Carton House in Maynooth. There is speculation that Rashford’s return may have contributed to the change in arrangements.

He is unlikely to feature in Wednesday evening’s friendly against Leeds United at Croke Park, having had only a small number of training sessions before the game.

Rashford’s return follows a difficult period in terms of both form and his relationship with the club’s management. Since signing a five-year contract with United in July 2023, he has scored only 15 goals for the club and has twice fallen out with former manager Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag described Rashford’s attendance at a birthday party just hours after Manchester United’s Manchester derby defeat in October 2023 as “unacceptable”.

Rashford was also left out of United’s FA Cup fourth-round match against Newport County in January 2024 after making a midweek trip to Belfast.

The forward made his Manchester United debut in February 2016, when Michael Carrick was captain. The pair later worked together for almost six years after Carrick joined the club’s coaching staff.

Carrick is now Manchester United’s manager, adding another familiar figure from Rashford’s early career to the club’s current set-up. The first indication of whether Rashford can rebuild his position at Old Trafford is likely to come during United’s pre-season preparations, with a possible return against AC Milan providing an early opportunity.