Rashford set for Manchester United return, could reunite with Amorim in friendly

The Telegraph points out that Rashford is about to reunite with Amorim, who previously benched him. Amorim had openly questioned Rashford's training attitude and commitment, subsequently completely sidelining him. Now, Rashford is set to return to Manchester United and is expected to meet Amorim again in a pre-season friendly against Milan.

Football has always been full of dramatic twists. Next week in Poland, a highly topical drama will unfold: Manchester United's highest-paid player will face the team's former manager.

Last summer, during Amorim's tenure, Rashford was marginalized within the team, placed in a so-called "relegated training squad," forced to train separately from the first team, and then the English forward was loaned to Barcelona for a season.

At that time, most people, including Manchester United internally, fans outside, and even Rashford himself, believed that he would never again play in a Manchester United shirt. The Red Devils also gave his number 10 jersey to new signing Matheus Cunha.

Exactly one year later, Amorim has left Manchester United, but Rashford unexpectedly has the chance to return to his parent club. Coincidentally, his opponent is precisely the former coach who decided he couldn't establish himself under him and consequently froze him out.

Now Amorim is in charge of Milan, and next Saturday the team will travel to Wroclaw to face Manchester United; this friendly, led by Carrick, is also Manchester United's last pre-season warm-up match before the new season begins. The team will kick off their new Premier League campaign on August 22 away to newly promoted Hull City.

This encounter adds an intriguing subplot to Rashford's future story. The 26-year-old forward is about to rejoin training, and this unexpected reunion will continue to develop over the coming days.

With three weeks left until the transfer window closes, even if Rashford temporarily returns to Manchester United, there is still a possibility of him leaving. Once he confirms his departure, Manchester United must find a suitable replacement to fill the void, and the already tricky squad planning will face further time pressure.

Several Premier League clubs are watching developments, and teams in continental Europe remain interested in him. The events of the coming week will provide answers.

Manchester United will travel to Gothenburg this Saturday to play against Paris Saint-Germain, then immediately fly to Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland, for a short training camp; on Wednesday, they will move to Croke Park in Dublin to face Leeds United, and then depart for Poland to prepare for the match against Milan.

Rashford, England teammate Kobbie Mainoo, and Argentine defender Lisandro Martínez have not yet reported back to the team after playing in the Copa América.

How Carrick will reintegrate the trio into the squad remains uncertain. Considering that players must first complete routine medical examinations and fitness assessments upon returning, there are only a few days left for joint training. It is highly unlikely that the trio will be rushed into playing against Leeds United, but Rashford's participation against Amorim's Milan is not unexpected.

Objectively speaking, Rashford had hoped to stay permanently at Barcelona this summer. Barcelona held a €30 million (equivalent to £26 million) buy-out option, payable in three instalments. Ultimately, the club chose not to exercise the option, instead signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and also bringing in Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund.

It is currently unclear whether Barcelona's decision not to buy him out was due to Rashford's high salary (Manchester United increased his wages by 25% following Champions League qualification, bringing his weekly salary to £325,000) or simply because the club believed Gordon and Adeyemi had higher long-term value.

A year ago, Rashford scored in Barcelona's 5-0 victory over Daegu FC during their Asia tour in Seoul. He was convinced then that he was starting a new career away from Manchester, but his current reality is vastly different.

After Manchester United spent £35 million to sign Youri Tielemans on July 14, the pace of transfers significantly slowed down. Among many factors, Rashford's future destination is a key reason.

The team's subsequent plans to sign a left winger and a centre forward are all tied to Rashford's final decision. He has two years left on his contract with Manchester United, he can play both positions, and his high salary will also significantly impact the club's financial balance.

It is understandable that fans have mixed feelings about this player.

Towards the end of Amorim's tenure, fans' fondness for Rashford significantly declined. The manager openly questioned his training attitude and commitment, subsequently completely sidelining him. Many fans, looking back at his performances during his loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, wonder why he couldn't replicate the same level at Manchester United.

Upon his return, Manchester United fans' attitudes towards him are uncertain; some fans still hope he leaves, which would also motivate Rashford to perform better to prove himself.

Football has always been like this; continuous goals and outstanding performances can change public opinion. As long as he adjusts his mindset and stays healthy and focused, Rashford is still a top Premier League attacker. Current manager Carrick gets along well with him, and he can absolutely become a key attacking weapon for the team.

When Rashford first emerged at Manchester United in 2016, Carrick was still playing in the Red Devils' midfield. With the transfer window nearing its close, signing a replacement of similar calibre would be extremely costly; if he were sold to a direct Premier League title rival, Manchester United would face significant squad risks.

It is reported that many of Rashford's Manchester United teammates have actively contacted him, looking forward to his return to the team.

This Manchester United team is no longer the same as when he left: Amorim has departed, and his controversial 3-4-2-1 formation has also exited the team's tactical system; the attack has been strengthened with formidable additions like Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško, Bruno Fernandes remains the core of the team, and the midfield structure has been reshaped, although there is still room for further strengthening.

Relying solely on the injury-prone Luke Shaw at left-back is not reliable, and Manchester United are looking for new signings; in the past, the cooperation between Rashford and Shaw on the left flank was very threatening, but now the full-back finds it difficult to make the high-intensity overlapping runs he produced in his prime.

From Rashford's perspective, he originally wanted to continue playing in Spain, and there remains a possibility of him moving to another overseas league. Having spent virtually his entire career rooted in the Manchester United system, this year abroad, experiencing a new football environment and culture, has undoubtedly broadened his horizons and given him ample time to reflect and readjust. This extended separation might benefit both parties.

Even if there are still differences between the two parties, any conflicts will remain private. As long as Rashford ultimately stays with the team, Carrick's only concern will be to unlock the player's best form and make him a lethal attacking weapon for the team once again.

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