Maguire says Rashford’s Old Trafford return makes him an asset for Manchester United

Marcus Rashford started his first Premier League game for Manchester United in 21 months as United beat Ipswich 5-2 at Old Trafford on 31 August 2026, and defender Harry Maguire said he expects Rashford to have a significant impact this season. Maguire described the 28-year-old as a valuable player provided he remains fit, happy and motivated.

Rashford had spent last season on loan at Barcelona after earlier temporary moves to Aston Villa, with the Catalans reportedly able to keep him by activating a £26m transfer fee. With the transfer window closing on Tuesday night, the article reports it now looks certain Rashford will stay at his boyhood club. Maguire stressed Rashford’s talent and threat on the pitch, saying: "He's a great talent," and "He's always a threat."

Addressing criticism of Rashford’s form and commitment, Maguire said: "If Marcus wants to be here, wants to work, wants to improve and help the team, of course we're willing to have him in the team." He added: "He could still do a lot more and I think he'll say he can do more but if we keep him fit, we keep him happy, he keeps driven and hungry, he's a great asset to have."

Maguire placed Rashford’s recent difficulties in the context of playing for Manchester United: "You've got to remember Marcus has had a wonderful career for this club," he said. "But when you play at this club for numerous years, there's going to be bad seasons, and when the bad seasons come everyone piles on you. That's part and parcel of playing for this club." He also reflected on club-wide struggles: "As a club, we haven't been perfect from top to bottom. We haven't been challenging at the top end. So, Marcus has been part of a rough ride for Manchester United."

Maguire noted Rashford benefited from working with Unai Emery and Hansi Flick while away from Old Trafford and from Michael Carrick’s familiarity with him on his return, saying: "He's come back in, really fit and sharp and we're excited to have him." Maguire also referenced his own experience of losing his place and the captaincy under former boss Erik ten Hag when commenting on how players are treated during difficult spells: "When that happens, players get dug out. I've been through it."

Maguire gave a separate assessment of Kobbie Mainoo after the Ipswich game, saying Mainoo had started for the first time this season and "grew into the game after United went behind." On Mainoo's performances he said: "I thought he was brilliant," and added: "To say he hasn't had many minutes in pre-season, he was magnificent. His work without the ball has improved so much since Michael's been in. He's becoming a real monster in there, wins a lot of second balls and a lot of duels." Maguire continued: "The thing is he's so young. If we want him to play for this club for another 10 years, there's going to be times where he's going to go through a patch like I spoke about with Rashy and myself." He concluded: "He's really level-headed, really composed and has great belief in his ability. He's going to be a magnificent player for this club for many years."

The club’s transfer situation beyond Rashford was also outlined: Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee was described as the most likely senior player to leave before the window closes, with a proposed loan to Fiorentina for the 25-year-old having been scrapped. The article states: "It is possible Juventus might come in for the Netherlands forward, who has been an unused substitute for both Manchester United games so far, although that is dependent on Canada forward Jonathan David completing a move to Atletico Madrid."

On the possibility of further signings before the deadline, Carrick was quoted saying: "It's always difficult to say, to be honest, when there's so little time left but we're always open if there's something else to be able to add," he said. "I wouldn't shut that down, but as it stands, we'll have to wait and see."