Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has tipped Marcus Rashford to shine after returning to the squad in recent weeks.
The England attacker found himself back at Old Trafford after Barcelona opted not to trigger the €30 million option to buy clause in his season-long loan deal. Instead, the Catalan giants to pay €80 million for international teammate Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.
This left Rashford’s future up in the air, with a summer of speculation ensuing. It was claimed that the Red Devils then placed a £40 million figure on the head of the academy graduate, which could be triggered by any Premier League club with the exception of Manchester City and Liverpool.
Rashford Back In From The Cold
After playing a key role in England’s march to the World Cup semi final, the 28-year-old returned to Carrington for pre-season. Now under the stewardship of ex-teammate Michael Carrick, the former Aston Villa loanee was given a fresh lease of life at his boyhood club.
Frozen out by Ruben Amorim, Rashford returned to the matchday squad for the opening day defeat against Hull City. He was then named in a United starting lineup for the first time since December 2024 for yesterday’s 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town.
It was a decent outing for the attacker, who looked lively and dangerous throughout before eventually being substituted in the 80th minute.
Maguire Happy To Have Rashford Back In The Midst
Maguire is another player to have benefitted from Carrick’s arrival and has once again become a staple of United’s back line. The £80 million defender has started both games so far this season and believes Rashford can be a real asset to the squad, providing he keeps his focus. Speaking after yesterday’s game, the centre-back said:
“He’s a great talent. He’s always a threat.
“If Marcus wants to be here, wants to work, wants to improve and help the team, of course we’re willing to have him in the team.
“He could still do a lot more and I think he’ll say he can do more but if we keep him fit, we keep him happy, he keeps driven and hungry, he’s a great asset to have.”
Maguire knows first hand what it is like to be public enemy number one at Old Trafford, having endured a torrid time under Erik ten Hag. This culminated in being stripped of the captaincy in 2023, but he has bounced back to show just how strong his mentality is.
Continuing, the former Leicester City man drew comparisons to his own experience:
“You’ve got to remember Marcus has had a wonderful career for this club.
“But when you play at this club for numerous years, there’s going to be bad seasons, and when the bad seasons come everyone piles on you. That’s part and parcel of playing for this club.
“As a club, we haven’t been perfect from top to bottom. We haven’t been challenging at the top end. So, Marcus has been part of a rough ride for Manchester United.
“When that happens, players get dug out. I’ve been through it.
“He’s come back in, really fit and sharp and we’re excited to have him.”
Manchester United return to action on Sunday when they take the short trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to face David Moyes’ Everton.
