Marcus Rashford looks set to begin the new Manchester United season in a much better place than where he left off.
Michael Carrick has been delighted with the forward since his return to the squad.The United boss has suggested Rashford is in contention to feature against Hull City on Saturday.
Rashford has not played a competitive game for United since December 2024. He spent the last 18 months away from Old Trafford, first with Aston Villa and then Barcelona, after falling out of favour with former manager Ruben Amorim.
Now he is back, and Carrick likes what he is seeing.
Carrick delighted with Marcus Rashford return
Rashford rejoined the United group in Dublin and has trained alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez. Carrick believes the 28-year-old has quickly got himself into good shape.
“It’s been pretty obvious since Marcus came back training with Kobbie [Mainoo] and Licha [Lisandro Martinez] pretty much, in Dublin. He’s come back fantastically well, he’s enjoying his football, he looks fit, he looks sharp, he looks strong, he looks ready to play football. So, I’ve been delighted with him since he’s come back,” Michael Carrick said ahead of the Hull City game.
There has been plenty of discussion around Rashford’s future during the summer. The England international recently made it clear that he simply wants to focus on playing rather than having his name constantly involved in transfer talk.
Carrick wasn’t drawn into that side of things. Instead, his focus is on what Rashford has shown on the training pitch.
The Manchester United manager also believes there is plenty Rashford can offer from different positions.
“Yeah, of course he can play through in the middle. He has done. I wouldn’t say it’s naturally his number-one position, but he can do that.”
That could be useful for United over a long season. Carrick has several forwards who can switch roles, giving him the option to move players around depending on the opposition.
Carrick has no doubts about Rashford’s ability
Carrick knows Rashford particularly well. He played alongside the forward before later coaching him during his interim spell in charge at Old Trafford.
The United boss remembers just how quickly Rashford made an impression after breaking into the team.
“Marcus is a highly talented player,” Carrick said. “When I was playing and he came into the team, he was fresh, young and playing in the No. 9 position. He burst onto the scene and did some unbelievable things.”
Rashford’s career has had its difficult periods since then. However, Carrick doesn’t believe that makes him any different from other top players.
“I remember Giggsy had some challenging times on the pitch during his twenties and that’s just part of the game and look at how he finished his career.”
Carrick wants Marcus Rashford to move forward rather than dwell on the past.
“You have to deal with it and push on, and Marcus looks really good. He looks sharp, he’s in a really good place, and it’s been great to have him back around over the last couple of weeks.”
United face Hull on Saturday, and Carrick’s latest comments suggest the forward could have a part to play. For now, the biggest positive is simply seeing Rashford enjoying his football again.
