Rashford’s Return and Maguire’s Support
Harry Maguire has expressed strong support for Marcus Rashford remaining at Manchester United, following the 28-year-old’s first appearance for the club in 20 months. Rashford played for 30 minutes as a substitute in Saturday’s 4-2 pre-season defeat to AC Milan, marking his return after last playing for United in December 2024 against Viktoria Plzen. His comeback has led to expectations that he will continue at Old Trafford.
Maguire, who has been a club teammate of Rashford since 2019 and an England colleague, stated that Rashford can “improve us for sure.” He highlighted Rashford’s ability to threaten the opposition’s backline, noting that he could have scored against Milan. Maguire described Rashford as a “huge threat” and a “big asset” for the team, expressing hope that he will stay despite the transfer window remaining open.
Rashford wore the No. 9 shirt during the match, which could indicate his standing within Michael Carrick’s squad. However, Premier League numbers are not confirmed until just before the competition begins, so this could still change. His appearance against Milan is seen as a significant step towards his competitive reintegration into the team.
Pre-Season Performance and Managerial Changes
Manchester United’s pre-season concluded in Wroclaw, Poland, with a performance that Maguire described as their “worst” of the pre-season. AC Milan, managed by Ruben Amorim, secured a 4-2 victory, scoring three goals in 14 minutes during the second half. Maguire noted that the conditions, including the heat, played a role, as did United’s focus on avoiding injuries ahead of the new season.
The match also saw United players reunite with Amorim, who was previously sacked by the club in January. Maguire spoke positively about Amorim, wishing him and his staff well at AC Milan. He acknowledged that while things did not work out at Manchester United for Amorim, he is a “great manager” and Maguire expects him to be successful.
Despite the pre-season defeat, Maguire believes the team is in a good position for the upcoming Premier League season, which starts in a week. He emphasised the importance of players getting minutes and emerging injury-free. The team is set to face Hull away in their first league fixture.
Tielemans’ Arrival and Reunions
Meanwhile, Youri Tielemans, a summer signing for Manchester United, has spoken about his move from Aston Villa. Tielemans, who joined United for a reported release clause of £35m, revealed that he was not expecting to leave Villa this summer. He had previously been of interest to United on a few occasions, but past discussions did not lead to a move.
Tielemans explained that his agent handled most of the transfer discussions while he focused on the World Cup. He expressed gratitude to Aston Villa, stating they helped him return to his best level. He views Manchester United as a club above Villa, noting the “positive mood” around the club currently and hoping for a successful period together.
Upon joining United, Tielemans has been reunited with former teammates. He spent four and a half years with Jonny Evans at Leicester, and Evans is now a member of Michael Carrick’s backroom staff. Tielemans also played with Marcus Rashford for six months when Rashford was on loan at Aston Villa during the second half of the 2024/25 season. Tielemans described Rashford as “great” during their time at Villa Park, praising his humility, hard work, and impressive acceleration.
Tielemans also captained Belgium at the recent World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Spain. He missed the quarter-final due to an injury sustained in the warm-up, which he attributed to an overload of games. He reassured fans that he is ready for the new season. During the tournament, he scored two goals in Belgium’s win against Senegal in the round of 32.
The midfielder also commented on a controversial decision during Belgium’s round of 16 tie against the USA, where Folarin Balogun’s red card was suspended. Tielemans noted that while the decision was surprising, it did not ultimately change the outcome as Belgium won 4-1.
Expert Opinion on New Signings
Lionesses legend Fara Williams has praised Manchester United’s acquisition of Tielemans, calling him a “massive” recruit. Williams also believes that Marcus Rashford’s return could feel like a new signing for the club. She noted that Rashford’s previous loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona did not end well at United, but she sees a transition in his performance.
Williams, a former Arsenal and Liverpool player, thinks that Carrick is a “great manager” and that the club’s investment in him is important. She believes that the signings made by Carrick, along with Rashford’s reintegration, signal a bright future for United. Williams also highlighted Carrick’s role in revitalising Kobbie Mainoo last season and the potential of Andrey Santos, a defensive midfielder signed from Chelsea.
She acknowledged that some fans were unhappy about the reported £50m transfer fee for Santos but believes he is a top young talent. Williams suggested that United’s backline could benefit from additional strengthening. Despite this, she feels the squad Carrick is building will compete for a top-four spot in the Premier League and handle the demands of Champions League football, making it an exciting season for the club.
Manchester United’s pre-season concluded with a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland.
Source: nytimes.com