Michael Carrick has thrown his weight behind Marcus Rashford, insisting the forward has an important part to play at Manchester United as the new Premier League season approaches. 

The United head coach described Rashford as a player who offers the squad something a little different, and said the 28 year old has returned to Carrington in excellent condition following his loan spell away from the club.

Speaking after United’s pre season friendly against Leeds in Dublin, Carrick made clear that Rashford remains firmly part of his plans despite months of speculation over his long term future. He explained that his relationship with the forward stretches back many years, having played alongside him before later coaching him, and said that history gives him confidence in what Rashford can still offer United going forward.

Rashford spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Barcelona after being frozen out under former manager Ruben Amorim. His time in Spain proved productive, with the England international contributing nine goals and nine assists across 31 appearances and expressing a clear desire to make the move permanent. However, Barcelona ultimately opted against triggering the twenty six million pound option to sign him outright, choosing instead to strengthen their attack with Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, which sent Rashford back to Old Trafford with his future uncertain.

Since rejoining the group, Rashford has trained without incident and appears to have settled back into the squad with little fuss. Carrick noted that the forward has been in good spirits since his return, describing his reintegration as straightforward and normal. The United boss also pointed to the wider squad’s fitness heading into the new campaign, with only a handful of players managing minor knocks after their pre season schedule.

Rashford was left out of the matchday squad against Leeds as United played out a one one draw before winning on penalties, but he is expected to feature when the club face AC Milan in their final pre season fixture this weekend. His return gives Carrick another attacking option to work with alongside newer signings such as Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, none of whom offer quite the same profile as Rashford’s pace and directness from wide areas.

Whether Rashford can recapture the form that once made him one of English football’s most exciting attacking talents remains to be seen, but Carrick’s public backing suggests the forward will be given a genuine opportunity to prove himself once the Premier League season gets underway.

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