Carrick confirms Rashford return: forward included in United's Dublin preseason camp

Michael Carrick has confirmed Marcus Rashford will be part of Manchester United's preseason squad in Dublin, bringing the forward back into the first-team picture after more than 18 months away. Rashford, 28, joins up after a World Cup campaign in which England claimed third place with a 6-4 win over France. He spent last season on loan at Barcelona, but the Catalan club opted against making the deal permanent by triggering a €30 million ($34 million) buy option. He still delivered 14 goals in 49 matches in Spain. That decision opens the door for a return at Old Trafford. Rashford's United contract runs until 2028, and he is now set to be part of the squad again - his first inclusion in over 18 months. He has not appeared competitively for United since December 2024, when the club faced Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. Ruben Amorim, the former United head coach, had frozen him out. Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan in January 2025. Last summer, back at United, he trained individually before agreeing to another temporary move, this time to Spain. Carrick pointed to the bond between them, noting that he was on the field for Rashford's debut. The United boss stressed that Rashford is part of the full squad heading to Dublin this week. United's trip to Ireland comes after a 1-1 friendly draw with PSG in Gothenburg on Saturday. PSG are the reigning Champions League winners. Carrick's team will take on Leeds United at Croke Park on Wednesday, followed by a hugely significant friendly against Milan on August 15 - Milan are now coached by Amorim.