Harry Maguire on Marcus Rashford's Potential at Manchester United

Harry Maguire believes Marcus Rashford is ready to write a new chapter at Manchester United – and insists the forward can still be “a great asset” at Old Trafford this season.

Rashford made his first Premier League start for United in 21 months in the chaotic 5-2 win over Ipswich, and looked like the Rashford of old: direct, dangerous, constantly asking questions of defenders. For a player who only a few months ago seemed destined to leave, it felt like a reset.

Not long ago, his United future looked broken. Rashford fell out with former boss Ruben Amorim, lost his place, and was sent on loan first to Aston Villa, then to Barcelona. The Catalan club had the option to make the move permanent for £26m and, for a while, it appeared that would be the end of his United story.

Barcelona never triggered the clause. The transfer window closes on Tuesday night and, barring a late twist, Rashford will stay at his boyhood club.

“He's a great talent,” said Maguire. “He's always a threat.

“If Marcus wants to be here, wants to work, wants to improve and help the team, of course we're willing to have him in the team.

“He could still do a lot more and I think he'll say he can do more but if we keep him fit, we keep him happy, he keeps driven and hungry, he's a great asset to have.”

The noise around Rashford has rarely been quiet. Criticism has followed him for years, stretching back to Erik ten Hag’s reign. His work-rate has been pulled apart, his commitment doubted, even his love for the game questioned.

Time away from Old Trafford seems to have changed something. Under Unai Emery at Villa and Hansi Flick at Barcelona, Rashford found different voices and different demands. Now he returns to a United side led by Michael Carrick, a head coach who knows him, his game and his temperament as well as anyone inside the club.

“You've got to remember Marcus has had a wonderful career for this club,” Maguire said.

“But when you play at this club for numerous years, there's going to be bad seasons, and when the bad seasons come everyone piles on you. That's part and parcel of playing for this club.

“As a club, we haven't been perfect from top to bottom. We haven't been challenging at the top end. So, Marcus has been part of a rough ride for Manchester United.

“When that happens, players get dug out. I've been through it.”

Maguire’s words carry weight. He knows what it is to be on the brink at United – stripped of the captaincy, out of the team, widely expected to leave under Ten Hag – only to fight his way back.

“He's come back in, really fit and sharp and we're excited to have him,” the defender added.

Carrick has spoken about Rashford as if he were a new signing, a fresh weapon rather than a familiar face. The United manager has already shown he can revive careers. Kobbie Mainoo is the clearest example.

Overlooked repeatedly by Amorim, Mainoo has been transformed under Carrick. The 5-2 win over Ipswich gave another glimpse of what he can become. Starting his first game of the season, the young midfielder grew into the contest after United fell behind, gradually taking control of the spaces where matches are decided.

“I thought he was brilliant,” said Maguire.

“To say he hasn't had many minutes in pre-season, he was magnificent.

“His work without the ball has improved so much since Michael's been in. He's becoming a real monster in there, wins a lot of second balls and a lot of duels.”

There is a sting to Mainoo’s story as well. Carrick may have restored his status at club level, but the England boss Thomas Tuchel chose not to use him at the World Cup. Another knock to absorb, another test of resilience for a player still at the start of his career.

Maguire, though, sees a temperament built for the long haul.

“The thing is he's so young. If we want him to play for this club for another 10 years, there's going to be times where he's going to go through a patch like I spoke about with Rashy and myself.

“But that's part and parcel. He's really level-headed, really composed and has great belief in his ability.

“He's going to be a magnificent player for this club for many years.”

United, then, find themselves in a familiar position: under scrutiny, under pressure, but with two homegrown talents at the heart of their hopes. Rashford, trying to prove he can still be the talisman. Mainoo, trying to prove he belongs at the very top.

If Carrick can keep one “fit and happy” and the other “a monster” in midfield, the rough ride at Old Trafford might finally start to smooth out.