Marcus Rashford has broken his silence in his first interview since returning to Manchester United, and he’s made it clear: he sees himself as a No.9 now.
The 27-year-old academy graduate is back at Old Trafford after a loan spell at Aston Villa that rekindled some of his best form. Though his long-term future remains unclear, Rashford has sent a clear message to Ruben Amorim and the club hierarchy, he’s ready to lead the line.
Rashford has long been known for his pace and dynamism on the left wing, but in this eye-opening interview, he admitted that the central striker role is starting to feel like home.
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“For me, as I’ve got older, the No.9 position is becoming more comfortable, more natural,” he said.
It’s a bold statement from a player who, just a few months ago, seemed to be on the brink of an Old Trafford exit. His form had dipped, and Amorim left him out of multiple matchday squads. Many believed the relationship between player and coach had broken down beyond repair.
Rashford’s move to Aston Villa was seen as a lifeline, and he took full advantage. Under Unai Emery, he looked sharp again, even pushing Ollie Watkins to the bench at times.
Despite Villa having a £40 million option to buy, they passed, opening the door for Rashford’s return to Manchester. A potential move to Barcelona had once looked possible, but with the Catalan club backing off, Rashford may now be eyeing a fresh start under Amorim.
The Portuguese manager wasn’t shy about their previous friction:
“I couldn’t get Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,” Amorim had said. “Sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different.”
Manchester United are in the market for a striker. They’ve already missed out on Liam Delap, and top target Viktor Gyokeres might not be sold. Amorim has signed Matheus Cunha and is eyeing Bryan Mbeumo, but United still lack a proven, explosive No.9.
Enter Rashford.
The Englishman bagged 30 goals in all competitions during the 2022/23 season. He hasn’t hit those heights since, but his Villa stint proved he still has the tools, if deployed correctly.
Can Rashford convince Amorim to give him a fresh shot? Or will tensions resurface, pushing him further down the pecking order?
For now, Rashford’s message is loud and clear: he’s ready to evolve. And perhaps, just perhaps, he’s the solution to the striker conundrum United didn’t know they already had.
