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Marcus Rashford has returned to Manchester United’s training ground as he begins preparations for the new season after the World Cup.

The England forward has not played for United since December 12, 2024, during which time he has had loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona.

All eyes will be on Rashford’s return.

Barcelona chose not to activate their option to buy him on a permanent basis for £26m this summer, which has meant what first seemed an unlikely reunion has now become a reality.

With Rashford’s return, he does provide Michael Carrick with a much-needed option at left-wing and an alternative through the middle. Benjamin Sesko has yet to feature in pre-season as he continues to recover from injury and questions remain over Patrick Dorgu’s best position.

United were potentially looking to add another forward option this summer, but with Rashford’s return Carrick has a player who has scored 87 Premier League goals in 287 appearances. He offers a more direct profile of player compared to Matheus Cunha on the left flank.

It is fair to say Rashford had fallen out of favour with the last two Manchester United head coaches in Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim before his temporary departure to Villa, but there is hardly anyone better to understand and coach Rashford than Carrick

The current United head coach was captain at Old Trafford in 2016 when an 18-year-old Rashford came off the bench to score twice against FC Midtjylland. Carrick was also part of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching staff.

Rashford will be fully reintegrated into the United side as they continue their pre-season preparations in Dublin.

A reunion against the manager who orchestrated his temporary exit awaits as United face Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland on Saturday.

Michael Carrick has confirmed Marcus Rashford will be part of Man Utd’s squad when they face Leeds in a pre-season friendly in Dublin on Wednesday.

The England forward has not played for United since December 12, 2024, during which time he has had loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona.

However, he is now set to return to the fold, along with other players who have been away since the World Cup.

Asked about Rashford’s involvement, Carrick said: “I’ve played with him. I played in the game he made his debut, so we have a history.

“We have got a full squad this week in Dublin. We fly straight there and have a few days where we have the whole group back together. Marcus is part of that.”

Kobbie Mainoo, Benjamin Sesko, Senne Lammens and Matheus Cunha are also expected to join up with Carrick’s squad as they continue their pre-season preparations in Ireland.

Sesko will join the squad for the first time on tour this pre-season having recovered from a shin injury, with Lammens and Cunha back with the side having missed United’s 1-1 draw with PSG through illness.

Mainoo will also join up with his team-mates for the first time after his break. He did not feature once for England at the World Cup.