Rashford declares 'same mission' after switching to United's No.9 shirt

Marcus Rashford has signalled his intent for the season with a four-word Instagram post — ‘New number, same mission’ — after being handed Manchester United’s No.9 shirt following his return from loan.

Rashford previously wore the No.10 at Old Trafford, but that number has been taken by summer signing Matheus Cunha. Rather than treat the change as a demotion, Rashford used social media to reaffirm his ambitions, posting a series of images alongside the brief message. United captain Bruno Fernandes was among the teammates to like the post.

The England international was named in Michael Carrick’s starting XI for last weekend’s 5-0 win over Ipswich Town — his first Premier League start in over 18 months. Bruno Fernandes was the standout performer, scoring a hat-trick, with Bryan Mbeumo and a Jacob Greaves own goal completing the rout. Rashford played 80 minutes without registering a goal or assist, but Carrick was nonetheless encouraged by what he saw.

‘Adding Marcus into that feels like a new signing,’ Carrick said after the match. ‘I think we’re a better group, a better squad, potentially a better team. In that respect, we’re quite happy.’

Rashford is expected to retain his place for Sunday’s Premier League visit to Goodison Park. Everton head into the fixture short-handed in attack after Iliman Ndiaye completed a move to Manchester City on transfer deadline day, while the club also missed out on Folarin Balogun and United outcast Joshua Zirkzee.

Competition for places in United’s forward line remains fierce, though Amad Diallo’s injury and Benjamin Sesko still working his way back to full fitness should help Rashford’s prospects of regular minutes in the near term. Patrick Dorgu came on as a late substitute against Ipswich, but Rashford is not under immediate threat of losing his starting berth.

United’s own deadline day ended without the left-back reinforcement Carrick had sought. A late move for Rayan Ait-Nouri from Manchester City failed to materialise, leaving Luke Shaw without a direct competitor for his position.