Speaking after the 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, Harry Maguire has revealed why Manchester United's players want to keep Marcus Rashford at the club this summer.
Marcus Rashford made his first Manchester United appearance since December 2024 in the 4-2 defeat to Rúben Amorim's AC Milan on Saturday afternoon.
Amorim was the man in charge when Rashford was forced to Aston Villa on loan and placed in the infamous five-man 'Bomb Squad' in 2025.
The England international impressed on loan for Barcelona last term, with 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, despite not always starting. But Hansi Flick's side chose not to activate their £26 million buy option while Rashford was at the World Cup.
A £40 million release clause became available to clubs other than Liverpool and Manchester City, but that deadline has since passed and Rashford returned to training on Monday in the Republic of Ireland.
His 29-minute cameo in Wroclaw, Poland, suggests he will be used by Michael Carrick this season, if he does not leave Old Trafford before the end of the window.
Maguire reveals squad want Rashford to stay
Given the nature of the defeat (and the fact it was against Rúben Amorim) not too many interviews were conducted after the match, but Harry Maguire was one to be questioned by journalists in the mixed zone.
The England international was asked for his thoughts on Marcus Rashford, who sported the No.9 shirt on Saturday, although that could still change before the start of the campaign.
"As players, we hope he [Rashford] stays because if he does, he is a big asset to have. He can improve us for sure," Maguire told journalists, including The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell.
"You saw when he came on [against AC Milan], he threatened the backline really well. He could have scored. He's a huge threat."
Rashford's best moment of the game came when he bursted into the corner to not just keep the ball in, but win it from Samuel Chuckweze. A slide tackle earned the former No.10 possession and allowed him to drive inside without pressure from behind. Rashford found Luke Shaw with a backheel, as he done so many times before, and the left-back delivered into the box.
It was a poor ball in the end, but that is exactly the type of move Manchester United fans will want to see from Marcus Rashford.
Maguire continued: "I've played with Marcus for numerous years and I know that playing against him and playing with him in training is going to help us.”
Rashford could yet start vs Hull City
While Rashford has played less than 30 minutes in pre-season for Manchester United, he was a regular at the World Cup, so match sharpness should not be too much of an issue.
Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu have shared the left wing spot under Michael Carrick, but neither have stood out in pre-season. And Cunha has played more as a centre-forward than from the left flank.
Rashford's energy from the bench, combined with his pace and willingness to run in behind, could be a good option for Michael Carrick, especially if he starts Bryan Mbeumo or Joshua Zirkzee through the middle against Hull City. Both have shown that they do not always stay central when playing striker, which creates space for the wide players to make inverted runs – Rashford's bread and butter.
Carrick may deem it too soon to throw Rashford in from the start, especially if his future is not sealed just yet, but he will be a good addition to the squad.
