Marcus Rashford Returns to Manchester United After 20 Months
Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United exile ended in the most pointed of settings: facing the coach who froze him out.
Twenty months after his last United appearance, the 28-year-old pulled on a red shirt again in Wroclaw, coming off the bench in a chaotic 4-2 defeat to AC Milan. On the opposite touchline stood Ruben Amorim, the man who had sidelined him back in December 2024 and is now in charge of Milan.
This time, Amorim walked away smiling. His new side hit three goals in 15 second-half minutes to turn United over and give the Portuguese coach his first win with the Rossoneri.
Rashford back in red – and back in the spotlight
Rashford, fresh from a season on loan at Barcelona after a six-month stint at Aston Villa, returned to Michael Carrick’s squad for United’s final pre-season outing. He wore the No 9 shirt, though the club stressed that squad numbers for the coming campaign are not yet confirmed, and operated from the left wing after his introduction.
For all the talk of a clean break in the summer, he is suddenly right back in the frame.
United had been open to selling Rashford, whose contract runs for another two years. Barcelona declined to trigger their option to buy, and the forward had wanted to stay at the Camp Nou. Instead, he finds himself back at Old Trafford with a manager who is publicly backing him.
“He’s our player, and he’s a good player and he gives us something a little bit different in the group,” Carrick said before the Milan game when asked if Rashford was for sale. “Marcus can offer us so much. He has done, and he can do again, so in that respect it’s quite exciting.”
If fitness and sharpness allow, Rashford could be involved in United’s Premier League opener at Hull City on Saturday. After this defensive collapse, Carrick may need every attacking weapon he has.
United crumble after fast start
The night had started perfectly for United. Harry Maguire powered them in front after just two minutes, setting an assertive early tone. Yet familiar problems soon resurfaced.
Samuel Chukwueze punished slack defending to drag Milan level, exposing United’s back line with worrying ease. Bruno Fernandes then squandered the chance to restore control, missing his second penalty in four days shortly before half-time.
Still, United emerged from the break with purpose. The pressure told when Patrick Dorgu capitalised on some dreadful Milan defending to restore the lead, briefly steadying Carrick’s side.
Then it fell apart.
Alphadjo Cisse struck to level again, and the momentum swung violently. Goncalo Ramos followed up with another, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek completed the turnaround, Milan ripping through a disorganised United defence in a ruthless 15-minute spell.
By the end, Amorim had his statement win. Carrick had a long list of problems to solve before Hull.
Pre-season round-up: mixed fortunes across England’s clubs
While United’s defence unravelled in Poland, the rest of the Premier League and Championship scene served up its own pre-season storylines.
At Stamford Bridge, Enzo Fernandez was met with boos from sections of the Chelsea support as he made his first club appearance of the summer in a 3-1 defeat to Real Sociedad. The hosts had started brightly, with Morgan Rogers scoring on his Chelsea debut after just 11 minutes, but Xabi Alonso’s side took control after the break. Joao Pedro struck twice in the second half to turn the game on its head.
Tottenham enjoyed a far smoother evening. Mikey Moore helped himself to a brace in a 3-0 win over Hoffenheim, underlining his growing reputation. Brentford went goal crazy, smashing seven past Eintracht Frankfurt, with Igor Thiago also netting twice in a ruthless display.
Leeds United joined the routs with a 4-0 home win over Augsburg, offering a timely boost before the new campaign. Others found the going tougher: Aston Villa slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach, Bournemouth lost 2-1 at Mainz, and Crystal Palace fell 2-0 away to Freiburg.
At St James’ Park, Matthias Jaissle’s first match in charge of Newcastle United ended in a 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, a reminder of the work ahead for the new head coach. Across the North East, Sunderland produced a more encouraging response, coming from behind to beat Rennes 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.
Ipswich Town edged a lively contest 3-2 at Union Berlin, while Hull City – United’s opening-day opponents – wrapped up their own preparations with a disciplined 0-0 draw against Nice.
Carrick’s side will arrive at the MKM Stadium with Rashford back in the fold, a defence under scrutiny, and questions swirling. Hull, quietly organised and unbeaten in their final tune-up, will not mind that one bit.
