Manchester United future opens up for Marcus Rashford after Michael Carrick welcome

Michael Carrick has opened the door to Marcus Rashford remaining at Manchester United after welcoming the forward back into his first-team plans following the end of his loan spell at Barcelona.

Rashford, 28, returned to the club after Barcelona decided not to make his temporary move permanent. He watched Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds at Croke Park in Dublin on Wednesday, which United eventually won on penalties, and is expected to feature in Saturday’s friendly against Milan.

The England international’s future at Old Trafford had appeared increasingly uncertain. Rashford spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Aston Villa before joining Barcelona for the campaign that followed, creating doubts over whether he would play for Manchester United again.

However, Carrick has made it clear that Rashford is being treated as part of the first-team group after returning to the club. The manager’s comments following the match against Leeds have further fuelled speculation that the player could remain with United for the coming season.

“He’s our player. He’s come back really well. He’s like any other player, I have known Marcus for a long time and he gives us something slightly different,” Carrick said, according to The Sun.

“He’s been in good spirits since he came back. He’s been back two or three days, trained, and it is completely normal to be honest and we are looking forward to the start of the season.”

Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for Manchester United. Despite that record, he has not played a competitive match for the club since December 2024.

His return to the squad comes at a time when Carrick is assessing his options before the new season begins. The manager’s description of Rashford as “our player” and his emphasis on the qualities the forward can provide have offered a notable indication that a permanent exit is not inevitable.

Rashford was not involved in the match against Leeds, but he could make his first appearance since returning when Manchester United face Milan in Saturday’s friendly. That would give him an early opportunity to demonstrate his readiness and remind the club of what he can contribute.

It remains to be seen whether he will be given the chance to add to his Manchester United goal tally, or whether his latest return will ultimately lead to another move away from Old Trafford.