Marcus Rashford returned to the Man Utd squad for the first time on Sunday and got a good reception for supporters at Carton House.
There was a welcoming committee waiting for Marcus Rashford as he returned to the fold at Manchester United for the first time in 18 months. This feels like the start of a new era for Rashford at his boyhood club, the only question is how long it lasts.
The sight of Rashford being welcomed by hordes of United fans, wearing club colours and preparing to train with his teammates, is one we never thought we would see again. Neither did Rashford, nor those in charge at Old Trafford.
The most obvious giveaway that everyone thought this was a story that had seen its final chapter written was that Rashford’s No. 10 shirt was given to Matheus Cunha last summer. Rashford was the past, and players like Cunha were the future.
But circumstances have conspired to throw player and club back together again. The boyhood United fan, once the pride of Manchester on the front pages as well as the back, with 426 games for the club, is somehow in the last chance saloon here.
Rashford hasn’t played for United since December 2024. Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Karl Darlow, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans are all yet to experience playing alongside Rashford. Most of them won’t have even trained with him.
United have opened the door to a reintegration, however, and Rashford is said to be willing to walk through it and play his part. He looked happy on arrival at Carton House on Sunday, but this week feels crucial. Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo will do physical testing on Monday before a likely return to group training on Tuesday.
Rashford is said to be settled in his personal life again and ready to embrace a return to United. He is reported to be taking the No. 14 shirt, the one he wore at Barcelona last season, although it’s understood that hasn’t yet been made official to the squad in Ireland.
There are bound to be some nerves when he returns to training with his teammates and Michael Carrick this week. Carrick’s presence in the dugout is helping this reunion. He is a calm, pragmatic figure who has a long and positive history with Rashford and the two have spoken during the summer.
Rashford didn’t train with the first team last summer, however, having been consigned to the bomb squad, so this is the first time back in a proper United session for 18 months. It is due to build towards a first appearance in 19 months against AC Milan in Wroclaw on Saturday, when the man who looked to have ended his career will be in the opposite dugout. Ruben Amorim’s presence there will be an intriguing subplot.
By then, United and Rashford will have a better understanding of whether this is what they want. If Rashford embraces being part of the group and looks sharp in training, the pros of keeping him in the squad will far outweigh the cons.
Of course, it is not impossible that there is still a parting of the ways in the final weeks of the transfer window. But for that to happen, there will need to be interest from an elite European club, and United will need to feel they have the time and resources to find a replacement.
At the moment, all roads led to Rashford being back in red all season and resurrecting a Manchester United career that looked to be over. What happens in Ireland this week could help map out that scenario.
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