Rashford back at Old Trafford in Manchester United win

The return

Marcus Rashford played for Manchester United at Old Trafford again on Sunday, starting a 5-2 Premier League win over Ipswich Town. He wore the number 9 shirt and lined up on the left wing.

The Athletic describes it as his first game back at the stadium in 20 months. The Guardian puts the absence differently, saying he was banished for 18 months, and reports that his last appearance in red at Old Trafford was on 7 December 2024, as a substitute in a 3-2 defeat by Nottingham Forest.

Rashford, 28, is a product of the club's academy. He spent the intervening period on loan at Aston Villa and then at Barcelona, and played for his country at the World Cup over the summer. The Athletic reports that Barcelona declined to trigger the buy option in their loan agreement with United.

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The performance against Ipswich

Rashford did not score or assist. In the seventh minute he dribbled into the box past two Ipswich players and nudged the ball back for Matheus Cunha, who blasted the shot over.

In the second half he collected a long pass with his back to goal, swerved past Darnell Furlong and nutmegged Issa Diop before being crowded out. Later, from a deep Diogo Dalot cross, he volleyed a centre that found Bryan Mbeumo, whose shot hit the bar.

The Athletic notes his understanding with left-back Luke Shaw, a teammate for eight seasons, and says he has created seven chances this season, with only Morgan Rogers of Chelsea, on nine, creating more in the league.

The two publications differ on his previous outing. He came on at half-time for Patrick Dorgu in a defeat at Hull City; the Guardian writes that he floundered down blind alleys, while BBC Sport called him one of the better performers.

Transfer window and the season ahead

BBC Sport reports fresh accounts of interest from Turkish club Fenerbahce, but says the consistent belief from all sides over the past month has been that Rashford will remain at United this season.

The Athletic, writing with 48 hours of the transfer window left, says everybody expects him to stay. Nothing in the sources sets out what happens beyond this season.

Head coach Michael Carrick has also faced questions about forward Joshua Zirkzee, with Italian club Fiorentina interested in a loan. BBC Sport says United would prefer a sale, or a loan with an obligation to buy.

The Guardian frames the reunion as a marriage of convenience, pointing to a lack of offers for Rashford and the difficulty of finding a replacement, while arguing it can still work. It notes that Carrick has teenagers Shea Lacey and JJ Gabriel waiting for opportunities and could use Rashford as a leader.