Rashford ready to 'fight' for Man Utd place as he joins up with teammates for preseason

Marcus Rashford is ready to "fight" for his Manchester United future as he joins up with his teammates for preseason training.

The striker returned to United's Carrington training complex early on Sunday morning before flying to Dublin at 11am with his teammates to link up with the squad at their training camp.

It is understood that the 28-year-old is committed to making a fresh start at his boyhood club despite a turbulent three years.

And in Michael Carrick he has a clear ally, as someone who was a teammate of his and the now manager admits they have "history" together.

Rashford has not played for United since December 12, 2024, after then-manager Ruben Amorim took exception to his attitude. But he could now make his return against Amorim's AC Milan in Poland on Saturday.

Rashford, who did not have a squad number after Matheus Cunha was handed the No.10 shirt last year, is reportedly set to wear No.14 if he remains at Old Trafford when the season begins.

The current United coach was captain when Rashford made his senior debut for the club in February 2016, and the pair worked together for almost six years after Carrick joined the coaching staff.

Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona and had publicly declared his desire to remain in Catalonia permanently.

However, Barcelona opted against activating their £26million purchase option and instead signed fellow England winger Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for £69m.

Rashford remains United's highest earner on £325,000 a week and has two years remaining on his contract. His wages have effectively prevented a move so far this summer, although a number of elite clubs remain in the market for a winger.

United have also scrapped plans for an open training session at Carton House in Maynooth amid suggestions that Rashford's return has influenced the change of plans.

He is unlikely to feature in Wednesday night's friendly against Leeds United at Croke Park, having only had a handful of training sessions since returning.

Rashford's record since signing a new five-year contract with United in July 2023 has also fallen well short of expectations.

He has scored just 15 goals for the club during that period and has clashed with former manager Erik ten Hag on two occasions.

Ten Hag branded Rashford's decision to attend a birthday party just hours after the October 2023 Manchester derby defeat as "unacceptable".

The forward was also dropped for the FA Cup fourth-round tie at Newport County in January 2024 after a midweek trip to Belfast.

Now, with Carrick in charge and his future still unresolved, Rashford has another opportunity to change the narrative.

For the first time in several years, he returns to Manchester United with his future firmly back in his own hands.