Marcus Rashford is expected to make his first appearance for Manchester United in over 18 months when they play AC Milan in their final pre-season friendly today. The 29-year-old forward has returned to his boyhood club after a loan spell at Aston Villa and Barcelona, with the Spanish champions opting not to trigger the buy-out option in his contract.
Rashford's return to Old Trafford
Rashford's career at Old Trafford appeared to be over after he was axed from the first-team by Ruben Amorim in December 2025. However, Amorim's replacement Michael Carrick has decided to give the England international a second chance, and barring any late drama in the transfer window, he will be playing in Manchester again this season.
Rashford has only just returned to training after helping the Three Lions finish third at the World Cup. Ironically, his first game back for United will be against a side managed by Amorim.
Teammates impressed by work ethic
Despite being by far the best Carrington academy graduate of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, many at the time approved of the decision to let Rashford go amid concerns over his form and attitude off the pitch. Such concerns do not exist anymore it seems, as the Daily Mail report that Rashford's return has been 'extremely well received' by the rest of the Red Devils squad.
The players are said to be impressed with their teammate's work ethic on the training ground, a far cry from the player Amorim had made him out to be. Moreover, £35million summer signing Youri Tielemans has publicly expressed his delight with Rashford after playing alongside him during the loan spell at Aston Villa last year.
Tielemans praises Rashford's qualities
'He's got amazing qualities. And I mean, his touch, his acceleration, his finishing, you know, his qualities on the ball. But then I think what surprised me most with him was his commitment,' the midfielder told Rio Ferdinand Presents.
'You know, there was such a big thing made out of him that he wasn't committed or wasn't in it for the right reasons or whatever. And you see the player coming in and it's completely opposite from what you hear. He was committed. He was doing the work. He was positive with everyone. You know, he was just a normal guy, you know.
'And then he brings his qualities to the team and he just plays. And you can see in that PSG double leg how good he was and how he added at the time to the team. And yeah, we [Villa] nearly got over the line against PSG and then won it. So, yeah, we were very happy with him.'
It has been confirmed Rashford will wear No.14 after his prized No.10 shirt was handed to Matheus Cunha last summer. Following the Milan friendly, United kick-off their season with a trip to newly promoted Hull City next Saturday.
