Rashford’s United return feels like a marriage of convenience

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (right) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with Marcus Rashford. Pic: David Davies/PA Wire. 

The first chant of the match was for Marcus Rashford, Manchester United’s returning rogue son, the one banished for 18 months, first to the Midlands and then Catalonia. 

Every football fan loves an academy product who has risen up the ranks, from scrawny child to getting 76,000 off their seats. Rashford is one of these, living out the dream of everyone inside Old Trafford and they are willing to forgive but want something in return.

Not since 7 December 2024 has Rashford been seen in red at Old Trafford. Then it was as a substitute forlornly trying to turn things around in an eventual 3-2 defeat by Nottingham Forest. 

His relationship with Ruben Amorim was already deteriorating, the second head coach to have become irritated with Rashford. 

After loans with Aston Villa and Barcelona, everyone is surprised to see him back; it feels like a marriage of convenience because of a lack of offers and securing a replacement was deemed complex.

At Hull, Rashford came on at the break for Patrick Dorgu after a dispiriting 45 minutes but floundered down blind alleys as he tried to spark a listless team into action. 

The truth is, Michael Carrick needs someone of Rashford’s experience and quality to be at the forefront of this latest attempt of building a successful era. 

He cannot have any off-field misdemeanours or sulking on the pitch when things are tough.

Carrick is more willing to put an arm around the shoulder, understanding of the pressures that come with playing for United. 

That is increased when the situation is dire, being behind at home against a promoted club a week after being beaten by another. It is a test of character, one United have failed too often in recent times.

Rashford’s ability has never been doubted: this is someone who did not look out of place at Barcelona and spent the summer playing for his country at the World Cup. 

In the buildup to the tournament, he went away and worked privately, inviting former teammates to help him to train in Miami, showing a dedication to his craft.

At 28, he should be a leader and Carrick is giving him the opportunity to be one. United have the teenagers Shea Lacey and JJ Gabriel waiting for opportunities, and Rashford is someone they can learn from, having witnessed more than most. He started brightly against Ipswich on the left wing, with United eager to target Dara O’Shea on that side. 

Rashford can go either way, pushing past a defender to reach the byline or cut in. He tried both, creating dangerous situations with his crossing but without a striker capable of finding the finish.

While Bruno Fernandes, rightly, takes the headlines with his hat‑trick, everyone knows United cannot rely on one man, however influential he may be. 

Following Fernandes’s example has not always been part of the Rashford playbook but seeing his influence on a team should offer some inspiration for the England international to reach the levels he and United expect. 

Rashford was certainly not at his best but his head remained high, making runs into dangerous areas, even if the chances of reaching the ball were somewhat forlorn.

Finishing without a goal or assist when five were scored may irk Rashford but reputations cannot be rebuilt completely in 80 minutes. 

Willingness needs to be the bare minimum because it will be a long season for United and everyone will need to play their part. On another day, Bryan Mbeumo would not have turned Rashford’s cross on to the bar from a yard out or his saved shot would have beaten the goalkeeper.

Against Hull, barely a clearcut chance was created as United fired blanks, but on Sunday, 33 shots were attempted, 11 of those on target. It was a display of greater intent, energy and productivity, but a long way from flawless as Ipswich were given chances to capitalise on. 

One reason United were able to cause problems in the second half was down to Rashford and Mbeumo being relentless, occupying defenders and, ultimately, tiring minds and legs with United in the ascendancy.

“Really pleased with Marcus, I am sure it was nice for him to be back and start games and be involved in a good performance,” Carrick said. “I thought he did particularly well in not easy circumstances. I thought he did all round good and will only get better.” 

Rashford is United’s No 9 in squad number only, as Carrick is opting to use Benjamin Sesko from the start. When the Slovene is fully fit, a different dimension will be added to the attack, a player used to finishing crosses, which will help Rashford – and others – to thrive. 

After a year alongside Robert Lewandowski, Rashford is used to having a clinical finisher waiting for service and having an out-and-out striker would benefit him.

Even if few expected Rashford and United to continue their alliance, they are back together. Harmony is not completely restored but both have shown they can make things work; the affection is evident. 

The good times and the bad are remembered by both, from the debut goals against Midtjylland to the fallout with Amorim, Rashford’s United story is a rich tapestry, spanning his entire life, and it is not over yet.

MAN UNITED: Lammens, Dalot (Yoro 74), Maguire, Martínez, Shaw (Mazraoui 73), Tielemans, Mainoo (Santos 80), Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford (Dorgu 80), Cunha (Šeško 80).

IPSWICH: Scherpen, O'Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis, Núñez, Lukić (Ouattara 73), Fatawu, Maeda (Furlong 73), Enciso (Akpom 90), Emersonn (McAteer 83).

Guardian