Harry Maguire Backs Marcus Rashford to Stay at Manchester United After Pre-Season Return

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has publicly backed Marcus Rashford to remain at Old Trafford ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline, saying the England forward can “improve” the squad after Rashford made his first appearance for the club since December 2024 in a 4-2 pre-season defeat against AC Milan in Wroclaw on Saturday. Rashford’s future at United remains one of the most uncertain storylines of the summer window, with manager Michael Carrick unable to confirm last week whether the forward will stay.

Maguire Calls Rashford a “Huge Threat” as Future Hangs in Balance

Speaking to reporters in Wroclaw after the match on August 15, 2026, Maguire delivered an emphatic show of support for his long-serving teammate. “Obviously the transfer window is still open,” Maguire said, as reported by BBC Sport’s Manchester United correspondent Simon Stone. “As players, we hope he stays because if he does, he is a big asset to have. He can improve us for sure. You saw when he came on, he threatened the backline really well. He could have scored. He’s a huge threat.”

Maguire added: “I’ve played with Marcus for numerous years and I know that playing against him and playing with him in training is going to help us.” The defender’s words carry particular weight given that Rashford — who has made 426 appearances and scored 138 goals for United — has been the subject of intense speculation over an exit since falling out of favour under former manager Ruben Amorim late last year.

Rashford’s Return: First Appearance Since December 2024

Rashford came on as a second-half substitute in the pre-season friendly in Wroclaw on August 15, 2026 — his first competitive appearance for Manchester United since December 2024. It was a symbolic moment, even as United suffered their worst pre-season result, losing 4-2 to AC Milan, now managed by Ruben Amorim. Rashford, wearing the number nine shirt for the occasion, produced a moment of skill by the corner flag and came close to scoring, offering a reminder of the attacking threat he can pose.

United officials were quick to clarify that the number nine shirt is not regarded as permanent for Rashford. Striker Benjamin Sesko — widely expected to wear the nine this season — was unavailable for the match through injury, adding another layer of uncertainty to the situation. The episode illustrated how unsettled the squad’s composition remains, just one week before their Premier League opener at Hull.

Maguire acknowledged the result was United’s worst pre-season outing, while still identifying positive signs. “We’re wanting to play much further up the pitch, be more aggressive and more on the front foot,” he said. “This was the only game where I didn’t feel we did ourselves justice in that aspect. We had a lot of high regains and created a lot of chances from that, but we didn’t sustain our pressure anywhere close to enough.”

Amorim’s Emotional Return and the Rashford-Mainoo Subplot

The fixture in Wroclaw carried an additional emotional dimension: it was Ruben Amorim’s first meeting with his former club since departing Old Trafford to take charge of AC Milan. The Portuguese coach — whose management style had led to high-profile fallings-out with both Rashford and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo — was warmly received by United’s squad in the mixed zone after the match.

Amorim told Gazzetta dello Sport after the match: “I’m proud to have been at Manchester United and I still love Manchester United.” He also joked with journalists he recognised from his time in England, quipping that press conferences are “more boring” without him. Notably, Rashford and Mainoo acknowledged supporters on the far side of the pitch while Amorim interacted with other players at full time — a visual reminder of the tensions that defined the final months of his United tenure.

Maguire was measured but positive about Amorim’s time at Old Trafford. “It was great to see him and all his staff,” he said. “I got on with Ruben really well and all his staff. I am happy he has another chance to impress and show everyone what a great manager he is. I’m sure he’s going to be a success. I have nothing bad to say about Ruben.”

The Wider Context: Transfer Window and Squad Uncertainty

Rashford’s situation at Manchester United is one of several unresolved threads heading into the final weeks of the summer transfer window, which closes on September 1, 2026. Across European football, the transfer market remains highly active. According to ESPN’s transfer news roundup published on August 16, 2026, Liverpool have stepped up their pursuit of PSG winger Bradley Barcola after PSG completed the signing of Ajax’s Mika Godts for €45 million — a move that could free up Barcola for a sale. Meanwhile, Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo is reported by transfer insider Nicolo Schira to be “one step away” from a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Captain Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty for the second consecutive game against Milan — a small but notable concern for Carrick heading into the Premier League season. However, encouraging signs came from Fernandes’ link-up play with summer signing Youri Tielemans, both of whom completed their first full 90 minutes together, giving Carrick a glimpse of a potential midfield axis for the campaign ahead.

Rashford’s Career at Manchester United: Key Statistics

What Happens Next: One Week to the Premier League Opener

Manchester United face Hull in their Premier League opener in one week, and the question of whether Rashford will be part of the squad — or available to other clubs — remains wide open. Manager Michael Carrick has declined to give a firm answer on Rashford’s future in recent days, and the player himself has not made a public statement about his intentions.

Maguire’s intervention reflects a broader desire within the United dressing room to retain one of their most experienced and decorated academy graduates. Whether Rashford ultimately stays or departs will likely be determined in the final days of the window, with European clubs monitoring the situation. Given that Rashford has not started a competitive match in over eight months, any potential buyer will want medical assessments and potentially a loan structure rather than a permanent deal this summer.

For United, the calculus is similarly complex: losing Rashford without a replacement secured — especially with Sesko already injured — could leave Carrick short of attacking options. The situation, as Maguire himself acknowledged, hinges on what the forward himself wants. His cameo in Wroclaw suggested the appetite and the ability remain. Whether the will to stay at Old Trafford — or the club’s will to keep him — is strong enough to survive the next two weeks is the central question of Manchester United’s summer.

For background on other major moves shaping the summer window, see our coverage of Jadon Sancho’s options as a free agent with Dortmund and Atletico Madrid leading the race, as well as how teenager Brian Madjo made history on his Aston Villa debut in the UEFA Super Cup.

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Sources

• 4-2 pre-season defeat against AC Milan in Wroclaw on Saturday — bbc.co.uk
• reported by BBC Sport’s Manchester United correspondent Simon Stone — bbc.co.uk
• Harry Maguire backs Marcus Rashford to stay at Manchester United — nytimes.com
• MAGUIRE: “WE HOPE AS PLAYERS THAT RASHFORD STAYS!” 🙏 Man Utd 2-4 AC Milan — youtube.com
• Harry Maguire sends clear message to Man Utd over Marcus Rashford’s future — metro.co.uk

Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons