Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has praised Marcus Rashford’s sharp return to training following the forward’s season-long loan at Barcelona, as the team prepares for its Premier League opening fixture against Hull City.
Michael Carrick Welcomes Rashford Back to the First-Team Fold
Marcus Rashford has returned to Manchester United following a season-long loan at Barcelona and an appearance for England at the 2026 World Cup. The forward spent the 2025–26 campaign with the Catalan club, where he scored 14 goals and registered 14 assists across 49 appearances, though Barcelona ultimately turned down the chance to secure him on a permanent transfer for a fee of £26m. His last competitive appearance for United had previously dated back to December 2024 after he fell out of favor under former manager Ruben Amorim. Rashford has returned to his boyhood club after two loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona in the past season and a half.
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Ahead of Manchester United’s opening match against Hull City, head coach Michael Carrick addressed reporters regarding the 28-year-old’s reintegration. Rashford missed the majority of pre-season, returning late alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez, and featured only briefly as a second-half substitute in a friendly against AC Milan in Wroclaw. During that final friendly ahead of the new Premier League campaign, Rashford sported the No9 shirt. Despite the delayed return, Carrick expressed satisfaction with the forward’s physical condition and sharpness after having a few weeks off following the World Cup, where Rashford played six times, scoring and assisting once.
“It’s been pretty obvious since Marcus came back training with Kobbie [Mainoo] and Licha [Martinez] pretty much in Dublin that 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.”
Yeah, he’s come back really well. Very well, you know. I think the way it is now and not having so much time off really, and looking at three weeks, maybe just under three weeks, give or take. Boys don’t lose an awful lot in that time. It’s certainly the case of managing it coming back in though and being sensible, knowing it’s a whole season for all the players to deal with. So in terms of the team this week going into next week as well, getting that balance right with all the group. But Marcus has come back particularly bright, particularly sharp, as I’ve said, and looks really good. Carrick
Carrick noted that Rashford is capable of playing through the middle when the tactical setup demands it, adding: “Yeah, of course, he can play through the middle, he has done. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily his number one position, but he can do that. And I think we’ve got forwards that give us that flexibility right across the front line, we’ve used all of them pretty much in slightly different roles. So I think for us to have that option is really good for the season, obviously.”
Despite Carrick’s public backing, speculation surrounding Rashford’s long-term future at Old Trafford has persisted as the summer transfer window approaches its deadline on September 1. Links to potential moves, including late interest from Barcelona and various clubs from Turkey, have kept the forward’s name in the headlines.
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The ongoing discourse prompted a direct response from the player himself. Following a discussion about his career in a ‘Stick to Football’ podcast clip featuring pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville—where Carragher vented frustration about Rashford being a topic of conversation once more—Rashford took to social media to voice his frustration regarding the constant speculation.
“Thanks, Jamie. It would be great to be able to get my head down and play football without my name being mentioned every day.”
Marcus Rashford, Manchester United forward
Now 28, Rashford remains a central figure as Manchester United start the 2026/27 campaign this weekend.
Alongside the reintegration of Rashford, Carrick confirmed that the club remains active in the transfer market to pursue further reinforcements before the window closes. Addressing the club’s transfer plans, Carrick stated: “I just think we’re looking to strengthen the squad. We’re certainly working towards that, making the most of the situation that we have and trying to improve things and trying to move forward. I said the same thing to you last time. So, we’re certainly trying to make the most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than we went into it. And I think we’re a good way to doing that, so far.” Reports indicate the Reds are reportedly close to completing a deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Michael Carrick discusses Marcus Rashford's return to Man Utd & the season ahead
As United travel to face newly-promoted Hull City in their opening fixture of the season on Saturday afternoon, Rashford is in contention to feature alongside Carrick’s new signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, establishing an early marker for the challenges ahead in the 2026-27 Premier League campaign.
Michael Carrick INTERVIEW! Rashford’s Man United return, Mainoo’s World Cup & MORE | ESPN FC
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