Marcus Rashford’s career has changed so much in the two years between Manchester United’s two Rosenborg friendlies.
Manchester United face Norwegian side Rosenborg in a pre-season friendly on Friday afternoon, and Michael Carrick will hope his players can bounce back from the 1-0 defeat to Wrexham.
Marcus Rashford will return to training in August, so he is expected to miss the Rosenborg pre-season match. But United facing the Norwegian outfit is a perfect time to recap the dramatic last two years of his career.
In 2024, Rashford started as United lost 1-0 to Rosenborg in pre-season. The 28-year-old is still on the books of the Red Devils heading into the next friendly, but the narrative around him has changed massively.
Which player from Manchester United’s starting XI against Rosenborg in 2024 has surprised you the most?
Erik ten Hag named this starting XI in the 1-0 defeat to Rosenborg two years ago…
Marcus Rashford was slammed by fans for Rosenborg display
When United lost to Rosenborg two years ago, fans criticised Rashford for a “dreadful” display.
In his defence, it was United’s first pre-season match of the summer, so fitness and sharpness were at an all-time low.
But it was Rashford’s attitude that was frustrating fans. This is a collection of what fans were saying:
- “I can tell that Rashford is definitely going to continue stressing me out in the upcoming season”
- “Rashford is in for a long season, I see absolutely no improvement from him.”
- “Man United need to cash out on Rashford before it’s too late.”
- “No chance of improvement.”
Later in the 2024/25 season, Rashford was frozen out by Ruben Amorim and loaned out to Aston Villa. In a bombshell interview, Rashford made it clear he wanted to move on. Perhaps fans who watched him against Rosenborg spotted his discontent early.
Rashford hasn’t played for United since December 2024. With another Rosenborg friendly now around the corner, he has come full circle.
Is this a little harsh on Marcus Rashford? Do you feel the same way?
Man United fans are now ready to welcome Marcus Rashford back
Rashford spent last season on loan with Barcelona, and he made it blindingly clear he wanted to join the Spanish giants permanently.
But it wasn’t to be. Barcelona rejected the chance to trigger his buy option, and now Rashford is expected to return to United.
It is a story that has split the fanbase.
But some United fans are ready to welcome Rashford back and give him a second chance.
Two years ago, Rashford’s head was down, his attitude was poor and United fans knew it – and let him know it.
READ MORE: Man Utd transfer decision with Marcus Rashford, breaking down pros and cons of keeping him
Now, Rashford is preparing for a highly-anticipated United return and he is joining up with a squad that is hungry for a Premier League title.
Whether that two-year period was one of healing and rediscovery is now up to Rashford to prove.
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