Harry Maguire explains how controversial United ace can become an asset under Carrick

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Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is coming off a whirlwind 18 months. The Englishman rose through the ranks at Old Trafford and was once considered the next big thing at Old Trafford.

However, the player saw his career take a complicated turn following the arrival of Ruben Amorim at the Theatre of Dreams in November 2024. Rashford fell out with the Portuguese and left the Red Devils in January 2025 to join Aston Villa on loan.

After being deemed surplus to requirements in the summer of 2025, the English forward joined Barcelona on a season-long loan. Rashford was a hit at Camp Nou, but the Catalans opted against making his stay permanent.

Marcus Rashford Stats: 2025/26 Season

With Amorim departing in January and Michael Carrick taking over, the 28 year old was reintegrated into United’s squad this summer. On Sunday, he started his first game at Old Trafford since December 2024, helping the Red Devils pick up a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town. Harry Maguire has now shed light on his countryman’s return to the club.

An asset when happy

Speaking after the weekend’s win, as cited by The Independent, Maguire insisted that Rashford is an asset for United when he’s fit and happy. The veteran defender said: “It’s been really good since he came in. He’s trained really well and us as players, if Marcus wants to be here and wants to work and wants to improve and wants to help the team, of course, we’re willing to have him in the squad.”

“He’s a great talent. You’ve seen that he’s always a threat. I think [against Ipswich], he was a threat constantly, and I think he could still do a lot more and I think he’ll say that he can do more. I think if we keep him fit, we keep him happy, he keeps driven, keeps hungry, and he is a great asset to have.”

Rashford scored 30 times in the 2022/23 campaign under former manager Erik ten Hag, which remains the best goalscoring return of his career. Unfortunately, the English forward could not build on that performance and endured a difficult 18 months, before temporarily leaving Old Trafford.

Maguire, though, suggested that his countryman is not the only one at fault for his struggles.

Players excited to have Rashford back

The English defender went on to point out that ups and downs are part of every player’s career. He continued: “You’ve got to remember that Marcus has had a wonderful career for this club as well. Like when you play at this club for numerous years, there’s going to be bad seasons, and when the bad seasons come everyone piles on you and everyone, and that’s part and parcel again for playing this club.”

Maguire also insisted that the team’s struggles did not help Rashford’s cause, adding: “Marcus was here for, I don’t know how many years, and every season wasn’t going to be perfect because as a team and as a club, we haven’t been perfect from top to bottom and we haven’t been challenging at the top end when you’re winning Premier Leagues year after year after year, it’s easy as a player to mingle into that group and play well.

“So Marcus has been part of a rough ride for Manchester United, and when that happens and the team doesn’t deliver, players get dug out and he was one of them at that stage. I’ve been through it. Everyone’s been through it at this club.”

“He’s come back, he’s trained over the summer you can tell and he’s come back really fit, sharp and we’re excited to have him and hopefully he can chip in with goals.”

Final Thoughts

Rashford was one of the better players on the pitch against Ipswich, constantly causing the opposition problems and working hard without the ball as well. United have lacked a player of his calibre in the squad of late, and the Englishman could turn out to be Carrick’s secret weapon this season.