Marcus Rashford's Manchester United Career Revived Against Milan
Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United career flickered back into life in the most ironic of settings – against the manager who cast him aside.
Twenty months after his last appearance for the club, the 28-year-old forward stepped off the bench in Wroclaw for United’s final pre-season friendly against AC Milan, now coached by former Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim. Amorim, the man who froze Rashford out of the first team in December 2024, walked away with a 4-2 win and his first victory as Milan manager. Rashford, though, walked away with something else: a way back in.
Rashford back, and back under scrutiny
Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona, having already endured a six‑month spell at Aston Villa. He wanted to stay at the Camp Nou, but Barcelona declined to trigger their option to buy. United, for their part, were reported in May to prefer a permanent sale, with two years still left on his contract.
Yet there he was in Poland, wearing the No 9 shirt – even as United stressed that squad numbers for the new season are not confirmed – and operating off the left flank once introduced in the second half. The symbolism was hard to miss: a centre-forward’s number, a winger’s role, and a career at a crossroads.
Michael Carrick’s stance, at least publicly, is clear. Asked before the Milan game whether Rashford was for sale, the United manager replied: “He’s our player, and he’s a good player and he gives us something a little bit different in the group.
“Marcus can offer us so much. He has done, and he can do again, so in that respect it’s quite exciting.”
Carrick even left the door open for Rashford to feature in United’s Premier League opener away to newly promoted Hull City on Saturday. From the cold under Amorim to a possible start under Carrick in the space of one pre-season outing – the turnaround is stark.
United collapse as Amorim celebrates
On the night, though, the story was United’s defending and Amorim’s first win in charge of Milan.
Harry Maguire set a blistering early tempo, heading United in front inside two minutes. The lead did not last. Samuel Chukwueze punished slack defending to drag Milan level, a warning sign that United’s back line failed to heed.
Bruno Fernandes then squandered a golden chance to restore control, missing his second penalty in four days just before half-time. The miss hung over United like a cloud.
Early in the second half, Patrick Dorgu appeared to blow it away. Capitalising on some chaotic Milan defending, he nudged United back in front and briefly restored a sense of order.
Then the roof fell in.
United conceded three times in 15 brutal minutes. Alphadjo Cisse struck first to level again, Goncalo Ramos then turned the game on its head, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek finished the job as Milan sliced through a ragged United side. From 2-1 up to 4-2 down, Carrick’s team were exposed in all the wrong areas with Hull looming on the horizon.
For Amorim, it was a satisfying first win with Milan, delivered against the club that sacked him and the player he once sidelined. For Carrick, it was a reminder of the scale of the work still required before the real stuff starts.
Mixed pre-season signals across England’s elite
United were not the only Premier League side learning hard lessons on a busy night of friendlies.
At Stamford Bridge, Enzo Fernandez returned to club action for the first time this summer and was met with boos from sections of the Chelsea support when he came on as a second-half substitute against Real Sociedad. On the pitch, it was Xabi Alonso’s side who dictated the mood, winning 3-1.
Chelsea did at least get an early lift. Morgan Rogers marked his debut with a goal after just 11 minutes, but Joao Pedro took over after the break, scoring twice to turn the match decisively in Sociedad’s favour.
Tottenham enjoyed a far more comfortable evening. Mikey Moore struck twice in a 3-0 win over Hoffenheim, underlining his growing reputation as Spurs cruised through their final preparations.
Brentford went one better – or four. They smashed seven past Eintracht Frankfurt, with Igor Thiago helping himself to a brace in a ruthless attacking display that will not go unnoticed ahead of the new campaign.
Leeds United were also among the goals, dismantling Augsburg 4-0 at Elland Road to round off pre-season in style.
Tough nights for Villa, Palace and others
Not everyone found rhythm or reassurance.
Aston Villa slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach, while Bournemouth lost by the same scoreline away to Mainz in Germany. Crystal Palace also endured a flat evening, beaten 2-0 at Freiburg.
At St James’ Park, Matthias Jaissle’s first match in charge of Newcastle United ended in a 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, an early reminder that bedding in a new manager rarely comes without bumps.
Across the North East, Sunderland offered a brighter note. They came from behind to beat Rennes 2-1 at the Stadium of Light, a result that will fuel optimism as they head into their own campaign.
Ipswich Town edged a lively contest 3-2 at Union Berlin, while Hull City – United’s opening-day opponents – wrapped up their Premier League preparations with a controlled 0-0 draw against Nice.
United now head to the MKM Stadium with questions swirling over their defence, their sharpness and their resolve. Rashford is back in the fold, Carrick is publicly backing him, and the season is about to start.
How long that alignment holds could define United’s year.
