Marcus Rashford looks increasingly likely to remain at Manchester United this season, and Patrice Evra believes the forward can still turn things around at Old Trafford.
Rashford returned to Carrington this month after spending last season on loan at Barcelona. He also featured against AC Milan in pre-season, making his first appearance for United since December 2024.
Barcelona decided not to take up the €30 million (£25.9m) option to sign him permanently, leaving Rashford back in Manchester with another chance to rebuild his United career.
Michael Carrick has already spoken positively about what he has seen from the England international.
Manchester United play Hull City next. The match can be followed on the Dave Premier League 2026/27 season updates.
Carrick likes what he has seen from Marcus Rashford
Speaking before United’s Premier League opener against Hull City, Carrick said Rashford has returned in excellent shape.
“It’s been pretty obvious since Marcus came back training that he’s come back fantastically well,” Carrick said. “He’s enjoying his football, he looks fit, he looks sharp, he looks strong, he looks ready to play football.”
That is a major change from where Rashford found himself before leaving the club.
The Manchester United boss has also suggested he could use the forward in different areas of the attack. Rashford has often played from the left, but Carrick doesn’t see a problem with moving him into a central role when needed.
“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.”
For Rashford, getting back into Carrick’s plans is only part of the challenge. The bigger task may be dealing with the expectations surrounding him.
Patrice Evra has simple advice for Marcus Rashford
Evra has backed Rashford to succeed but believes he needs to forget about the noise around his return.
“It depends. I think if Marcus comes back and forgets he’s been an academy player for Manchester, and he forgets he’s from Manchester, then he can do great.”
The former United defender believes the pressure from supporters and the media can make things harder for Rashford, particularly if he doesn’t start perfectly.
“But you need to lower the pressure, and when the fans see that he doesn’t make a run or whatever, they’re going to blame him straight away. If I am the manager, I want Marcus in my team.”
For Evra, Carrick’s relationship with Rashford could be crucial.
“It is the communication. I think it would be really important to see his conversation with Michael Carrick. What Michael Carrick will say to him to get the best of him – ‘forget about the media, forget about the pressure, I trust you.’”
Evra clearly still believes there is a player to get back to his best.
“I want the best for Marius Rashford because he has still got it and we all know that. He’s not an old player.”
Rashford now has another opportunity at the club where he came through the academy. Carrick appears willing to give him that chance, while Evra believes reducing the pressure around him could help bring the best out of the forward.
After everything that has happened, a clean start may be exactly what Rashford needs.
