Marcus Rashford reborn: How the Man United forward found his smile again after Old Trafford exile, Michael Carrick’s role in easing his return and the key differences staff have noticed in training

It’s the look of pure joy on Marcus Rashford’s face that stands out all these years later.

Leaping into the arms of Anthony Martial at the Etihad, Manchester United’s new local hero had just scored what turned out to be the winning goal 15 minutes into his first derby a decade ago.

The 18-year-old controlled a pass from Juan Mata and audaciously nutmegged Martin Demichelis to leave the Manchester City defender on his backside before sweeping the ball under Joe Hart.

‘Putting Demichelis on his a**e got as big a cheer as the goal itself,’ chuckles Dave Horrocks, one of Rashford’s first coaches at Fletcher Moss Rangers.

It crowned a quite remarkable breakthrough for Rashford at his boyhood club under Louis van Gaal in early 2016, which began with a two-goal debut off the bench against Midtjylland, at the time replacing George Best as United’s youngest-ever scorer in Europe.

Ryan Giggs, by then a coach on Van Gaal’s staff, recalled on The Debrief podcast with Rio Ferdinand this week how Rashford had convinced the Dutchman he was ready.

Ryan Giggs recalled how he had been asked by Van Gaal to tell Rashford he had made the first team after the pair had been left impressed by him

‘I remember we got told about him,’ said Giggs. ‘The first team had finished training, so me and Louis went over and watched the reserves.

‘Marcus was playing in a small-sided game and he scored two goals: right foot, left foot, bang, bang. It was like, “what have we just seen?”. Louis turned to me and went, “you will tell him he is in my team”, and just walked off!’

Still, Rashford was only down to be on the bench in a Europa League tie against the Danes until Martial was injured in the warm-up. Horrocks was having dinner with Fletcher Moss secretary Ronny Jamieson in Didsbury as the story unfolded.

‘My phone pinged: “Marcus is in the squad”,’ says Horrocks. ‘Then ping: “He’s starting”. Ping: “He’s scored!”.’

The junior club’s membership doubled overnight, and there weren’t enough coaches to cope with all the kids.

Rashford made his Premier League debut against Arsenal at Old Trafford three days later and, incredibly, scored two more goals in another United win. A first England call-up soon followed.

Ten years on, he faces City again in Sunday’s 199th Manchester derby at Old Trafford having made a fresh start at United over the summer.

Rashford has played in this fixture more than any other, and it’s one that has mirrored the ups and downs of his career.

As well as that memorable strike in 2016, his five goals to date include a late winner at Old Trafford in January 2023.

Rashford faces City again in Sunday’s 199th Manchester derby at Old Trafford having made a fresh start at United over the summer

Then there was the 26th birthday bash at Chinawhite nightclub in the wake of a dismal 3-0 defeat to City in October of the same year that enraged Erik ten Hag, and Ruben Amorim’s decision to axe Rashford from the squad for the Etihad derby in December 2024 due to concerns over his attitude. Rashford didn’t play for United again before going out on loan to Aston Villa and Barcelona.

Giggs recounted the story this week of a dinner with Pep Guardiola eight years ago during which the City boss revealed that Rashford was the one United player he would like to have signed.

More recently, City were said to be hovering before Rashford agreed his current contract, although United’s insistence that their neighbours were one of only two clubs (the other was Liverpool) excluded from having the option to buy him for £40million this summer demonstrates the level of opposition to such a move inside Old Trafford.

Had things worked out differently, though, City could have got their hands on Rashford much earlier.

The youngster had joined Fletcher Moss at the age of six when his mother Melanie signed him up, and he was soon fast-tracked into one of United’s development centres.

But as the single mum worked to support her three boys and one daughter, Marcus spent his childhood moving between houses in Hulme, Moss Side, Chorlton, Withington and Wythenshawe.

When the family settled in Fallowfield, close to City’s academy on Platt Lane, a football-mad Rashford was inevitably drawn there on the nights he wasn’t training at United.

Fortunately, Horrocks agreed to drive Melanie, Marcus and his older brother Dwaine to The Cliff whenever he could because the family didn’t have a car and the journey meant taking several buses.

City are understood to have spoken to Rashford’s mother, but she had given United her word and Marcus signed at the age of nine.

‘He’s a United fan, so I don’t think City ever stood a chance,’ says Horrocks. ‘You have to understand he’s a Manchester lad, and the derby is the pot of gold for him – I hope he’s on the up again.’

Amorim axed Rashford from the squad for the Etihad derby in December 2024 due to concerns over his attitude and Rashford didn’t play for United again before loans at Villa and Barcelona

On a good run, it takes about 20 minutes to drive the ten miles from The Coffee House Cafe, where a mural of Rashford covers an outside wall in the heart of Withington, to the temporary black gates in the Mobberley countryside behind which sits the multi-million pound luxury home and golf course project that has been hindered by problems for some time.

It’s been quite the journey for the 28-year-old who was earning around £3,000-a-week when he first signed professional terms at the age of 17. Since agreeing a new contract in 2023 after a career-best 31-goal season, Rashford has been on £325,000-a-week.

The mural was daubed with racist graffiti when he missed a penalty as England lost to Italy on a shootout in the final of Euro 2020, shortly before receiving an MBE at Windsor Castle for his campaign to tackle child poverty during the pandemic.

Rashford sought the help of a sports psychologist during the darkest period of his career, and physically faced longstanding problems with his back and left shoulder.

There was the infamous tequila bender in Belfast which landed him in hot water with Ten Hag again, and the fallout with Amorim who stuck him in the bomb squad.

What hurt more than anything were the questions over his commitment to United and love of football, fuelled by concerns inside and outside the club over his demeanour.

Rashford felt sufficiently misunderstood to do an article for The Players’ Tribune titled Who I Really Am.

Perhaps leaving Old Trafford on loan has been the best thing. Had it not been for his wages, Rashford might well have joined Barcelona permanently this summer after winning the La Liga title there last season.

It’s understood he rejected interest from a dozen more clubs in England, Italy and Turkey before returning to United. Safe to say that if Amorim had still been in charge, there would have been no way back.

But Michael Carrick is a very different character. He was on the pitch that day in 2016 when Rashford scored against City, and has since been his first-team coach, caretaker manager and now head coach.

Carrick was on the pitch that day in 2016 when Rashford scored against City, and has since been his first-team coach, caretaker manager and now head coach

The two are said to have a good relationship which has eased a return that had looked so unlikely.

The rather sullen figure who left at the start of last year has been, according to sources, more cheerful than at any time they can remember from the moment he rejoined the squad at United’s pre-season training camp in Dublin. Once a poor time keeper, Rashford is now one of the first into training.

‘He couldn’t be making more of an effort on his side to make it work,’ said one insider.

Rashford was rested for Thursday’s Champions League tie against Sabah but got a good reception from the fans when he warmed up, some of whom had turned against him in the past.

He has played well enough to earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming Nations League games, having returned to the England squad in time for the World Cup. Were it not for a minor hip problem, Rashford would probably have featured more in North America.

These are still early days, of course. With two years left on his contract at United, there are no guarantees about what will happen next.

For now, though, Rashford is back where many people feel he belongs – and City are in his sights again.