Rashford 'fantastic' on return as Carrick's United demolish Ipswich 5-2 at Old Trafford

Marcus Rashford marked his first Manchester United start since December 2024 with an impressive display as Michael Carrick’s side beat Ipswich Town 5-2 at Old Trafford. Carrick praised the 28-year-old as “fantastic” both on and off the pitch since rejoining the club three weeks ago.

Rashford’s United career had appeared over when Ruben Amorim cut him adrift 18 months ago, sending him out on loan spells at Aston Villa and then Barcelona. The La Liga club held an option to sign him permanently for £26 million this summer but declined to exercise it, leaving Rashford to return to his boyhood club. He now looks certain to remain beyond the close of the transfer window.

Carrick, a former United teammate of Rashford who also coached him during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure, said the forward’s attitude since returning had been exemplary. “He’s been fantastic since he came back, I have to say, and it was great to see him on the pitch today for us,” Carrick told reporters after the game.

Having come off the bench in last weekend’s win at Hull, Rashford was handed a starting berth on the left flank against Ipswich and delivered what Carrick described as an all-round strong performance. “I thought he did particularly well in not easy circumstances, particularly as the game was going through the cycle. And then second half, it all clicked,” said Carrick. “He’ll only get better. I was really pleased with him.”

Carrick framed Rashford’s situation as a fresh start rather than a complicated return, drawing on a broader United philosophy around second chances. “Whatever’s gone on, I think part of this club, there’s players that have come back sometimes, or players that maybe were going to leave, didn’t leave. It’s always about what you do next, and what your intentions are,” he said.

Carrick also noted that Rashford’s connection to the club gives the reunion added meaning. “He’s one of our own. He’s living his dream, playing here now and trying to be successful and win.” With the transfer window still open, United appear content to reintegrate a player who, just months ago, seemed destined to leave permanently.