RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Once they are into the meat of the season, few at Old Trafford will remember Saturday's pre-season defeat by AC Milan.
However, depending on how the situation unfolds before the transfer window closes on 1 September, it could be very significant in one way.
With an hour gone, Marcus Rashford was introduced by Michael Carrick as one of six substitutes.
It was his first appearance for his boyhood club since Viktoria Plzen away in the Europa League on 12 December 2024, after which he was effectively banished by Amorim and loaned out, first to Aston Villa and then Barcelona, from where he was not expected to return.
Carrick had enough opportunities when he spoke to UK media in Maynooth on Thursday to say so if it was certain Rashford will be staying beyond this month.
United officials were quick to make it known the number nine shirt Rashford wore in Poland was not permanent, to stave off any complaints from those tempted to buy one.
The 28-year-old looked relaxed enough throughout.
When he was sent out for his first warm-up during the game, he applauded the positive reception he got from United supporters in the corner he was running towards. Although, within seconds, Samuel Chukwueze was tapping home AC Milan's first equaliser at the same end of the pitch.
Rashford was out later than most of his fellow substitutes for a second-half warm-up, but he still had time for a couple of passing tricks with Martinez – a World Cup semi-final rival a month ago.
Once the England attacker came on, it was noticeable he stayed wider than Patrick Dorgu, the man he replaced on the left. For the record, Dorgu and Harry Maguire were United's men on the scoresheet in this latest tune-up.
Rashford's first run ended with him conceding a foul, but it wasn't long before a brilliant piece of play by the corner flag took him past an opponent.
Not surprisingly, that brought many in the crowd to their feet.
As reintroductions go, it was solid, not spectacular. But it didn't need to be anything more.
Premier League games at Hull and against Ipswich will offer a greater insight into Carrick's thinking. The transfer deadline will bring permanence to what remains an uncertain situation.
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