Carrick hails Rashford's return as a 'new signing' after United's 5-2 win over Ipswich

Marcus Rashford started and caught the eye as Manchester United beat Ipswich Town 5-2 in the Premier League, with manager Michael Carrick declaring that having the 28-year-old back in the fold feels like a new signing — an assessment that echoes earlier words from team-mate Noussair Mazraoui.

The result was built around a hat-trick from captain Bruno Fernandes, but Rashford’s lively display on the left flank was one of the more encouraging subplots of the afternoon. It marked a significant step up from his brief cameo off the bench in United’s 2-0 opening-day defeat to Hull City.

“I think the situation that we’re in, I think the business that we’ve managed to do, I’m pleased with,” Carrick said after the final whistle. “I think we’re a better group, a better squad, potentially a better team. Adding Marcus into that feels like a new signing. So, in that respect, we’re quite happy.”

Rashford’s presence at Old Trafford this season was far from guaranteed. After falling out with successive managers Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, he spent the second half of 2024/25 on loan at Aston Villa before joining Barcelona on another temporary basis last summer. He thrived at the Camp Nou, contributing 14 goals and 14 assists, and Barcelona held a £26 million purchase option that appeared likely to be triggered.

Instead, the Catalan club chose to spend £70 million on Anthony Gordon and also recruited Karim Adeyemi, leaving Rashford to return to Carrington without a permanent destination. Moves to Turkey and interest from Arsenal and Chelsea were explored but came to nothing, and the transfer window closed with Rashford still a United player.

The club responded by handing him the No. 9 shirt for the new campaign — a gesture of intent from the management. Mazraoui had already flagged Rashford’s potential impact in early August, telling reporters: “We have made some great signings. Rashford has come back, who can also be a big one in this season if he does not leave. We have big signings, and the team is still getting stronger.”

Rashford had limited pre-season minutes after representing England at the World Cup, where they finished third, and was part of the side beaten 4-2 by AC Milan in a warm-up fixture. His Premier League form is now the focus, and the Ipswich performance offered the first real evidence that a reset may be under way.