Marcus Rashford made his return to action for Manchester United but admitted he wished it had come in better circumstances following the defeat to Hull City. After spending 18 months away from the club, Rashford was unable to help his team prevent a 2-0 defeat against the newly promoted team.
Return from the bench
United were already two goals down thanks to efforts from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy when Rashford was introduced at the beginning of the second half in Patrick Dorgu's place. Despite having largely been expected to depart Old Trafford following his loan spell with Barcelona, it appears the 28-year-old is at the front of Michael Carrick's thinking.
Rashford completed 45 minutes after it emerged he had been awarded United's No.9 shirt for the season. His previous competitive action for the club under Ruben Amorim came against Viktoria Plzen in December 2024.
Social media reaction
"After 618 days, I'm back playing with United. I wish the result were better, but it's something we can improve on," Rashford posted on Instagram following the loss. Lisandro Martinez, Bryan Mbeumo, Diogo Dalot and Andre Onana were among the United players to have liked the post.
Rashford entered the fray in Patrick Dorgu's place following the break at Hull. The Denmark international, who signed initially as a wing-back, was once again used in a more advanced position by Carrick but had a difficult afternoon.
Carrick on Dorgu and Rashford
Carrick only had positive words to share on the player he hauled off, however. "Pat's fine, we love him to bits. He's a fantastic player, Pat. He's a great character," Carrick said after the match. "He's a big part of what we do, and he will be. So it was just one of those decisions. It's nothing personal. Sometimes you've just got to make them, you know, trying to do something a little bit different."
Ahead of the clash with Hull, Carrick was asked whether Rashford could have a role leading United's forward line centrally this season. The England international has predominantly been used from the left in recent times. Carrick believes it is something the academy product is capable of. "Of course he can play through in the middle. He has done," Carrick said. "I wouldn't say it's naturally his number-one position, but he can do that, and I think we've got forwards that give us that flexibility right across the frontline, we've used all of them, pretty much, in slightly different roles. So, I think for us to have that option is really good moving through the season."
