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Marcus Rashford has at last returned to Manchester United’s Carrington training base, completing a remarkable turnaround for a player whose Old Trafford future had appeared all but over. The former Barcelona loanee was spotted greeting supporters outside the complex on Sunday as he prepared to work with new permanent manager Michael Carrick for the first time.

Carrington return ends two-year absence

Rashford has now officially rejoined United, bringing to a close a spell of almost two years away from the club’s first-team environment. The 28-year-old forward, who has made 426 appearances for his boyhood side, saw his career at Old Trafford lose momentum after a major fallout with former manager Ruben Amorim. That dispute resulted in the academy product being sidelined and eventually sent out on loan to Aston Villa and Barcelona, with many believing his final appearance for the club had come on December 12, 2024.

But the story took a different turn on Sunday when Rashford arrived at Carrington for pre-season training. The England international had been given an extended break after his World Cup efforts, but his return to United’s headquarters points to a new beginning under fresh management. On reaching the training ground, he stopped to sign memorabilia and pose for photographs, replying with a simple "thanks" as fans welcomed him back, according to Daily Mail.

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Carrick confirms Dublin travel plans

Carrick has confirmed that Rashford will rejoin his United team-mates at a training camp in Dublin next week. Speaking to Scandinavian broadcaster VG after United’s recent 1-1 pre-season draw with Paris Saint-Germain, Carrick outlined the senior squad’s travel arrangements. "We have a full squad next week in Dublin," the former midfielder said. "We fly straight there and meet Leeds on Wednesday. We have a few days in Dublin where we have the whole squad, including Marcus, Kobbie [Mainoo] and Lisandro [Martinez]."

An unwanted reunion looms?

United’s pre-season programme could yet provide an intriguing twist for Rashford, as he may come up against his former manager Amorim when the Red Devils face AC Milan in Poland. The forthcoming match against Leeds in Dublin will be the first chance for supporters to see Rashford back in a United shirt. With the Premier League season drawing near, Carrick will hope the forward can carry his recent form in Spain into success on the domestic stage.