Pallister urges Rashford to seize second chance ahead of Manchester derby

Gary Pallister has urged Marcus Rashford to grab his “second chance” at Manchester United with both hands as the club prepares to host Manchester City in the first Manchester derby of the season at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Rashford, 28, fell out of favour under former manager Ruben Amorim and spent time on loan at Aston Villa and Barcelona, with the player keen to make his move to the Catalan club permanent. United were eager to move on his £325,000-a-week wages during the summer transfer window, but the winger has since worked his way back into Michael Carrick’s plans.

Speaking to Betarades.gr, Pallister reflected on the circumstances that have allowed Rashford to resurrect his United career. “I think Rashford has been fortunate in the respect of Michael being at the club when Marcus was in his pomp and when he was earning that new contract,” the former United defender said. “A couple of years after he signed that deal he didn’t look happy. He obviously got put in the bomb squad, along with three or four of the players, and his body language wasn’t great, his form wasn’t great — I think it suited both parties for him to leave and go to Barcelona where he was desperate to do well.”

Pallister added that a failed permanent move to Barcelona, combined with competition from Anthony Gordon for an England place at the World Cup, made Rashford’s return to United all the more surprising. “I think it’s safe to say he’s been fortunate to get a second chance at United,” he said.

Rashford is expected to be available for the derby despite being substituted in the 70th minute during United’s match against Everton with a minor complaint. Carrick confirmed the winger was “feeling a bit of something” but stopped short of ruling him out.

Elsewhere, Lisandro Martinez is preparing for another physical confrontation with Erling Haaland. The Argentine centre-back and the City striker have developed a notable personal rivalry across several Premier League meetings, and Martinez has spoken publicly about the battles the two have shared, signalling he is ready for another contest on Sunday.