Harry Maguire believes ‘hungry’ Marcus Rashford is a great asset for Man Utd

Few expected to see the 28-year-old back in the club’s colours having left under a cloud to join Aston Villa on loan before spending last season at​ Barcelona with a view to a permanent switch.

But Barca did not trigger their purchase option for Rashford, who has instead been reintegrated into the United squad by former team-mate Michael Carrick after playing for England at the World Cup.

The forward made his first Red Devils appearance since December 12, 2024 in last weekend’s shock loss at Hull and on Sunday helped the team bounce back with a 5-2 home win against Ipswich.

United defender Maguire, who knows Rashford as well as anyone having played with him for club and country, said: “To be fair, it’s been really good since he came in.

“He’s trained really well and, us as players, if Marcus wants to be here and wants to work and wants to improve and wants to help the team, of course, we’re willing to have him in the squad.

“He’s a great talent. You’ve seen that he’s always a threat. I think today he was a threat constantly and I think he could still do a lot more, and I think he’ll say that he can do more.

“I think if we keep him fit, we keep him happy, he keeps driven, keeps hungry, I think he is a great asset to have.”

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Maguire has first-hand experience of the highs and challenging lows that come with playing for United, where he feels academy product Rashford’s “wonderful career” should not be forgotten amid any negatives.

Supporters certainly recognised his efforts during his first Old Trafford appearance in 90 weeks as a once-fractured relationship continues to heal.

“Marcus was here for I don’t know how many years and every season wasn’t going to be perfect because as a team and as a club we haven’t been perfect from top to bottom and we haven’t been challenging at the top end,” Maguire said.

“When you’re winning Premier Leagues year after year after year, it’s easy as a player to mingle into that group and play well.

“So, Marcus has been part of a rough ride for Manchester United and when that happens and the team doesn’t deliver, players get dug out and he was one of them at that stage.

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“I’ve been through it. Everyone’s been through it at this club. He’s come back in, he’s trained over the summer you can tell and he’s come back really fit and sharp and we’re excited to have him and hopefully he can chip in with goals.”

Carrick says Rashford felt like a new signing but United fans will be hoping a new face or two arrives before Tuesday’s transfer deadline – a hectic day Maguire claims he will not be glued to.

“We don’t really speak about it (as players),” he said with a smile. “The WhatsApp group definitely isn’t going off. I’ll probably check at the end of the day to see what’s happened.

“No, hopefully there will be some exciting deals but I think as a player we’ve got great belief in the squad. We have a good squad.

“If they want to bring in some players to help us, then the more the merrier and the bigger the squad, the better the squad, the more chance we have of winning trophies.”