Sports · 16 August, 2026 · 2 min read
Marcus Rashford Returns to Manchester United as AC Milan Defeat Ends Pre-Season Friendly
Rashford returned to Manchester United after 20 months, featuring in a 4-2 loss to Milan. Maguire urged Rashford to stay at United, with the squad wanting him to remain.
Football365 sells Rashford as a new signing.
10 of 12 outlets skipped it: no excuses after the Milan defeat, citing poor play.
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Same story, two versions
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One casts it as a “new signing”; the other stresses a high-risk conditional window.
Rashford returns, Milan wins
Marcus Rashford returned to Manchester United for their final pre-season friendly against AC Milan, coming on with 30 minutes remaining at the Tarczynski Arena in Poland as Michael Carrick gave him a chance to redebut.
“Rashford afronta una nueva oportunidad en el Manchester United FC BARCELONA”
United’s match ended in a 4-2 defeat, with Harry Maguire scoring inside two minutes and Milan’s Ruben Amorim’s side coming back through Samuel Chukwueze, Gonçalo Ramos, Alphadjo Cissè, Gonçalo Ramos and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Rashford, 28, wore the No. 9 shirt during the loss and was making his first United appearance since returning from Spain after being frozen out by Amorim and loaned out to Aston Villa and then Barcelona.
Carrick framed Rashford’s value ahead of the season, saying, "Le conozco desde hace mucho tiempo y nos aporta algo un poco diferente. Estamos deseando que empiece la temporada".
The Independent also noted the irony of Rashford returning against the manager who froze him out in December 2024, with Amorim’s Milan winning 4-2 in Wroclaw, Poland.
Maguire backs Rashford
Harry Maguire said the Manchester United squad wants Rashford to stay, telling the Manchester Evening News, "He can improve us, for sure" and adding that when Rashford comes on, "he threatens the back line really well."
The same interview described Rashford’s return as a new No.9 moment in Wroclaw, with United stressing the squad number was provisional even as he wore it during the friendly.
TNT Sports reported that Carrick demanded better after the 4-2 loss, with the club’s former head coach Ruben Amorim getting last laugh as Rashford’s introduction coincided with United’s downfall.
Carrick’s post-match message to MUTV was blunt, saying, "no excuses. We just didn't play very well today."
Even with the defeat, Carrick’s stance on Rashford’s role remained clear, with the Independent quoting him as calling Rashford "our player" and describing it as "quite exciting" to have him back.
Premier League opener looms
Carrick’s focus now turns to the Premier League opener, with TNT Sports stating United get their campaign underway against Hull City on Saturday, August 23.
“United get their Premier League campaign underway against Hull City on Saturday, August 23”
The Independent also tied Rashford’s potential involvement to that opener, saying Carrick called Rashford "our player" and that it was "exciting" to have him back.
AP reported that Carrick asked for more signings, saying, "We want more, we need more, we’re still looking at how we can do it," while also noting United re-welcomed Rashford after his loan spell with Barcelona.
AP further quoted Carrick when asked if Rashford was for sale, replying, "He’s our player, and he’s a good player and he brings something a little different to the group."
With Rashford back in contention after nearly two years away, the stakes for United’s season are immediate: the pre-season ended with a 4-2 defeat to Milan, and the next test is the Premier League match against Hull City.