Marcus Rashford is expected to return to Old Trafford this summer (Image: Katherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford’s chances of regaining his place in the Manchester United side have been given a significant boost after his long-time team-mates expressed support for the attacker’s return. The 28-year-old is set to return to the Red Devils this summer after a successful loan spell with Barcelona.
Rashford enjoyed his most impressive season in recent years while in Spain, playing a key role in the Catalan side’s La Liga success, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists in all competitions. Barcelona were widely expected to secure a permanent transfer, but instead invested £70m on Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, leaving Rashford’s next move in doubt.
The academy graduate’s relationship with United soured under former manager Ruben Amorim, who dropped him after Rashford publicly said he was “ready for a new challenge” elsewhere.
Despite this, Harry Maguire suggested Rashford deserves a chance to develop under permanent head coach Michael Carrick, who was recently appointed on a permanent basis.
When asked if he and his team-mates would welcome Rashford back, the United centre-back told The Rest Is Football: ‘Yes. “Obviously I have a great relationship with Marcus and have had great times with him over the years.
“I know what a great player he is and I’m sure it’s up to the club and Marcus to find a mutual agreement.”
“Of course, if Marcus comes back, we want him to come back and play and be happy and confident. It needs to be right for himself and it needs to be right for the club, but we all know how great a player Marcus can be for whatever club he plays next season.”
Maguire’s position is markedly different to that of United legend Paul Scholes, who previously urged his former club to “ban” Rashford following his controversial comments.
“I think Marcus really let down a lot of people with his attitude and I think that’s what the manager is trying to say,” Scholes told Overlap Fan Debate.
Harry Maguire says he wants Rashford back in the team (Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus, Getty Images)
“OK, he’s not refusing to play, but the way he acts and the way he trains, in a way he’s saying I don’t want to be involved in these things.
“So the fact that he let his teammates down in that dressing room, I think he should really be kicked out of the dressing room. If he’s in and around the dressing room and young people are looking at that as an example, the sooner he’s gone the better.”
Rashford’s controversial comments reportedly caused considerable upset among many United players, particularly as they came just days after the club’s derby victory against Manchester City in December 2024.
A source close to the team told The Sun: “Some of the players are really annoyed by what Marcus said and why he said it at that time.”
“They were all excited after we beat City, but he basically left for one game and then put in a transfer request.”
The Manchester-born star still has two years left on his contract and reportedly earns £325,000-a-week, and is expected to return to Carrick’s side at the end of England’s World Cup campaign, unless a transfer progresses in the meantime.
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