Manchester United legend John O'Shea says it'll be a straightforward conversation between Michael Carrick and Marcus Rashford ahead of his return to the first-team setup. The England forward is set to return to the fold for Carrick, despite spending the last 18 months plying his trade elsewhere.
Barcelona loan ends, questions remain
Barcelona turned down the chance to sign Rashford permanently after his loan stint at the Nou Camp, and he reported back for pre-season training with the Reds earlier this week. There was still uncertainty about his future at Old Trafford leading up to the pre-season clash with Leeds United, but O'Shea is convinced his former colleague is the man to get the best out of the England international.
Speaking to ITV before Man United's pre-season fixture against 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."
Pundits weigh in on Rashford's potential
Fellow pundit Michael Brown concurred, and said: "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."
Pre-season outing and Carrick's stance
Rashford travelled with the United squad for their pre-season clash against Leeds United in Dublin at Croke Park, yet was absent from the matchday squad having just returned to training this week.
It proved to be a solid outing for Carrick's side, who broke the deadlock in the first half through Joshua Zirkzee in the 16th minute following some superb work from Bryan Mbeumo down the left flank. Leeds hit back to level things up when Brenden Aaronson equalised just before the half-hour mark. Neither side could find the decisive breakthrough in the second half, with the match ultimately heading to a penalty shootout in front of a sold-out Croke Park.
Bruno Fernandes squandered his spot-kick for United, yet they still prevailed 5-4 as Harry Wilson and James Justin both failed to convert for Leeds.
Carrick was asked about Rashford's future and said: "He's our player, he came back Sunday night, he arrived with Kobbie [Mainoo], and Lisandro [Martinez] came the day after, and he's part of the group like anybody else. He came in, he's trained really well.
"I've known him a long time, like I've known some of the others a long time, so I don't treat him any different to anybody else, but it's been good to have him around the group again this week. So I'm really positive with that."
