Harry Maguire backs Marcus Rashford to make big Man Utd impact - BBC Sport
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Driven & hungry Rashford a Man Utd asset - Maguire
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Marcus Rashford was on loan at Barcelona last season
By Simon Stone, Manchester United reporter
Published 3 minutes ago
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is confident Marcus Rashford will have a significant impact at the club this season.
The 28-year-old started his first Premier League game for United in 21 months in the 5-2 victory over Ipswich at Old Trafford, and was one of his side's main attacking threats.
Having a future at United seemed unlikely when he fell out with former boss Ruben Amorim and was loaned out to Aston Villa and then Barcelona, where he would have stayed had the Catalans activated a £26m transfer fee.
With the transfer window closing on Tuesday night, it now looks certain Rashford will remain at his boyhood club.
"He's a great talent," said Maguire. "...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."
There has been plenty of negativity around Rashford, even dating back to Erik ten Hag's time at the club. His work-rate and commitment have been questioned as well as the basic question of whether he actually enjoys the game any more.
Rashford did appear to benefit from working with Unai Emery and Hansi Flick during his time away from Old Trafford and the fact head coach Michael Carrick knows him well is felt to be an advantage.
"You've got to remember Marcus has had a wonderful career for this club," said Maguire.
"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."
...(Maguire continues) "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."
Carrick describes Rashford as being like a new signing and while the United boss rejuvenated midfielder Kobbie Mainoo after he was repeatedly overlooked by predecessor Amorim, he now has to lift his spirits again after England boss Thomas Tuchel did not play him at the World Cup.
Mainoo also started for the first time this season against Ipswich and grew into the game after United went behind.
"I thought he was brilliant," said Maguire. "...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."
...(Maguire concludes) "The thing is he's so young. If we want him to play for this club for many years to come, we've got to look after him."