Rashford marks Old Trafford return with new tattoo after 18 months frozen out

Marcus Rashford has commemorated his return to Manchester United by adding the No.9 and No.14 shirt numbers to his existing tattoo collection, as the 28-year-old attacker looks to rebuild his career at Old Trafford under new manager Michael Carrick.

Rashford started in United’s emphatic 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town last Sunday, his first appearance in the first-team fold after roughly 18 months on the fringes. He had been frozen out by former manager Ruben Amorim, loaned first to Aston Villa and then to Barcelona — where the Spanish club ultimately chose not to trigger the permanent option in his deal.

The No.9 shirt assigned to Rashford for the new campaign has been widely read as a signal of intent from Carrick, who has been effusive in his praise of the boyhood United fan since his reintegration. Rashford already had his previous shirt numbers tattooed on his body; the latest additions — the No.9 and the No.14 he wore at Barcelona — were revealed in a social media update.

Carrick described welcoming Rashford back as the equivalent of a new signing. “I think the business that we’ve managed to do, I’m pleased with,” the manager said. “Adding Marcus into that feels like a new signing. So, in that respect, we’re quite happy.”

Carrick was equally warm in his personal assessment of the attacker’s attitude since returning. “He’s one of our own. He’s living his dream, playing here now and trying to be successful and win. Whatever’s gone on, it’s always about what you do next and what your intentions are. He’s been fantastic since he came back, I have to say.”

Rashford’s reintegration ends what had appeared, as recently as last summer, to be a permanent departure from the club where he came through the academy. With Carrick now at the helm and the striker handed a prominent squad number, the England international appears firmly back in United’s plans.