John O'Shea believes Michael Carrick will have a straightforward conversation with Marcus Rashford about reintegrating into the Manchester United first-team squad, backing his former teammate to get the best out of the England international.
Rashford has spent the last 18 months away from United, but looks set to return this season. Barcelona turned down the opportunity to sign him permanently after his loan spell at the Nou Camp, and he returned to pre-season training with the Reds earlier this week.
O'Shea: Honest conversation needed
Speaking to ITV ahead of United's pre-season friendly with Leeds United, O'Shea said: "Yeah, listen, it's straightforward. I think it'll be an honest conversation, straight up.
"Do you want to stay? If you do, great, let's see what you've got again, and then start afresh. And listen, you know the fans, there'll be question marks thinking, what are we doing, type of thing.
"But if he goes and struts his stuff at Old Trafford straight away, a lot will be forgiven, I think. [There's] Still some questions to answer as well."
Brown: He's got everything
Fellow pundit Michael Brown agreed, saying: "See, all those players we mentioned, we always have to come back down to Marcus Rashford.
"The reason it does, John, is because, as you know, he's got everything, hasn't he? He can change games. He's electric, he's got the pace. If you can get the best out of him, then it'd be a great sign.
"I think Michael Carrick is a great person to go and do that. He's going to have to work, he's going to have to earn it to get into the team, but imagine if he was firing this season."
Rashford absent in Dublin friendly
Rashford travelled with the United squad to face Leeds United in Dublin at Croke Park, but was not part of the matchday squad having just returned to training this week.
United opened the scoring in the first half through Joshua Zirkzee in the 16th minute, after some great footwork from Bryan Mbeumo down the left-hand side. Leeds equalised just before the half hour mark through Brenden Aaronson.
Neither side found a breakthrough in the second half, before a penalty shootout in front of a sold-out Croke Park. Bruno Fernandes missed from the spot for United, but they still ran out 5-4 winners, with Harry Wilson and James Justin missing for Leeds.
