Michael Carrick believes Manchester United have the grit and the guile to challenge for the Premier League title this season. However, Carrick will be acutely aware that his side need a few more signings before the transfer window closes.
At the weekend, the Red Devils were beaten 4-2 by Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan in their final pre-season friendly before the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
There are creases still to be ironed out, and no mistake, but United certainly have some fragilities in defence which need addressing. Moreover, the new-look midfield needs to discover a degree of fluency pronto.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom. It’s important not to read too deeply into pre-season results – and the return of Marcus Rashford to Man United action was interesting too.
How Marcus Rashford played on his Man Utd return
Rashford indeed made his anticipated return for Manchester United at the weekend, featuring as Carrick’s side lost against Milan to round off pre-season.
He last wore the Man United shirt in December 2024, before being dropped by Amorim and ostracised from the squad. This has been a dramatic turn of events, with many expecting the 28-year-old to complete a move to Barcelona after joining the Catalan club on loan one year ago.
Rashford scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in a dramatic career resurgence for Barcelona last season, winning La Liga. His direct, explosive style could provide the perfect extra dimension for the Red Devils this season, even if there are rumbles that both player and club would be eager to explore a move away, should the right offer be made.
Replacing Patrick Dorgu after the hour mark, it was far from a vintage display. But then, the Old Trafford side were out of sorts in Poland, ebbing away as a collective as the second-half deepened.
|
Marcus Rashford vs AC Milan |
|
|---|---|
|
Match Stats |
# |
|
Minutes played |
29′ |
|
Goals + Assists |
0 + 0 |
|
Touches |
13 |
|
Shots (on target) |
0 (0) |
|
Accurate passes |
8/9 (89%) |
|
Chances created |
0 |
|
Crosses completed |
0/1 |
|
Succ. dribbles |
1/1 |
|
Ball recoveries |
1 |
|
Def. contributions |
0 |
|
Duels won |
1/2 |
Rashford will have brighter days ahead at Man United, should he indeed be reintegrated by Carrick for the campaign ahead, but could it all be a smokescreen? Could, in fact, INEOS have their sights set on an exciting replacement.
Man Utd in talks to sign the new Rashford
Manchester United have signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans this summer, but there’s a real sense that Carrick’s side need more in defence and attack, should they hope to challenge for titles. INEOS might just have something in the works.
Football FanCast sources have confirmed that Man United are in direct talks with super-agent Jorge Mendes over a late-window move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye, who is also coveted by Liverpool.
Valued at £42m, he has been hailed for his “frightening” pace and ability when carrying the ball forward by analyst Ben Mattinson, Mbaye might only be 18 years old, but he is the youngest player in PSG’s history to start a match, and with 42 appearances under his belt, he has gained a wealth of experience at Europe’s pre-eminent outfit, winning titles and showcasing immense potential from the start of his career.
He’s still learning, but the prospect could emerge as United’s next version of Rashford, filling a hole that the returning winger could yet vacate in the coming weeks.
France defeated Senegal 3-1 during the World Cup group phase. It was the Kylian Mbappe show. However, Mbaye notched a spectacular consolation goal late on, emphasising his prolific potential and willingness to stand up and make things happen on the biggest stages.
Rashford did something similar when breaking through way back when. After notching a brace on his debut for the club against FC Midtjylland in 2016, he scored twice in a thumping win over Arsenal on his first appearance in the Premier League. Carrick captained the club on that day.
A man for the big occasion from the get-go, the Three Lions forward was a teenager at the time, but he was ready to star for a Man United side in need.
Now, a decade later, Mbaye could enjoy a similarly emphatic effect for Carrick’s United. He has principally played off the right for PSG, but boasts dynamism and fluency thgat allows him to thrive across any attacking position. Like Rashford, he is mercurial and able to adapt.
A natural-born finisher, Mbaye scored three times across ten starts in Ligue 1 last season, dazzling with his pace and energy and strength. Could he play a Rashford-esque role for United next season? If the England international does leave before the end of the transfer window, it could feel somewhat symbolic.
