Mazraoui says Rashford can be 'big signing' for Man Utd as they aim 'really high'

Noussair Mazraoui says that Marcus Rashford can be a "big signing" for Manchester United as they aim "really high" this season.

The defender kept his cool to roll home the decisive penalty as United beat Leeds 5-4 in a shoot-out at the end of the preseason friendly in Dublin.

The match itself came to a premature end at 1-1, with referee Neil Doyle blowing the whistle bang on 90 minutes as stewards tried to clear the pitch of selfie-hunting invaders.

Afterwards Mazraoui was asked about the team's recruitment ahead of the new campaign and he pinpointed Rashford whose future is uncertain but he could return.

"We have some great signings, Rashy who comes back who can be a big one, this season," said Mazraoui, who added: "If he of course doesn't leave that isn't up to me of course.

"We have big signings, good signings, the team is strong and now even stronger so we have to aim really high."

There was the rare sight of Fernandes missing from the spot in the shoot-out, but Mazraoui capitalised after James Justin struck the crossbar during sudden death.

United had looked much the more dangerous team in the first-half, taking the lead through Joshua Zirkzee’s 16th minute strike, laid on by the outstanding Bryan Mbeumo who created a number of openings and twice went close himself, hitting the crossbar before the break.

Leeds equalised with their first clear chance, finished off by Brenden Aaronson after good work from Harry Wilson, but United will take confidence with more players – including Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford – being held in reserve.

Although not in the squad, Rashford joined Mainoo, Martinez and Mason Mount in watching his team-mates, and could feature in a United shirt for the first time since December 2024 when they face AC Milan and former boss Ruben Amorim in Wroclaw this weekend.

“He’s our player,” Michael Carrick told ITV. “He’s come back great, just like any other player. I’ve known Marcus a long time and he gives us something a little bit different. He’s been great since he’s been back.

“He’s been back two or three days, he’s trained and it’s just pretty normal. We’re looking forward to the start of the season.”

Having finished last season in an interim role, Michael Carrick is now installed as the permanent boss, but Mazraoui said there had been no change in his approach as they build on the momentum from the second half of last term.

“He didn’t change at all,” he said. “We’ve been playing like we did in the last half of the season and even improving that. There’s a clear idea. We know how to play and you see the improvement, even in these friendlies, some moments in the game, a lot of moments are just enjoying our football.”