Harry Maguire delighted with Marcus Rashford’s return after ‘rough ride’ at Manchester United | OneFootball

Harry Maguire has said Marcus Rashford suffered as he came in for criticism during Manchester United’s struggles in past seasons but said they are excited to have “a great asset” back at Old Trafford.

Rashford made his first start for United for 20 months in Sunday’s 5-2 win over Ipswich after first being dropped by former manager Ruben Amorim and then loaned out to Aston Villa and Barcelona.

Rashford had hoped to sign for the La Liga champions on a permanent basis but Barcelona chose not to take up their option to buy him for £26m.

But Maguire said Rashford has made a positive impression since his return, explaining: “It's been really good since he came in. He's trained really well and us as players, if Marcus wants to be here and wants to work and wants to improve and wants to help the team, of course, we're willing to have him in the squad.

“He’s a great talent. You've seen that he's always a threat. I think [against Ipswich], he was a threat constantly, and I think he could still do a lot more and I think he'll say that he can do more. I think if we keep him fit, we keep him happy, he keeps driven, keeps hungry, and he is a great asset to have.”

Rashford scored a career-best 30 goals for United in 2022-23 but found it tougher in the subsequent 18 months and Maguire admitted it has been tough to get blamed during some of the poor spells at Old Trafford.

He added: “You've got to remember that Marcus has had a wonderful career for this club as well. Like 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 and everyone, and that's part and parcel again for playing this club.

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Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire have both come in for heavy criticism during their time at Manchester United (Getty)

“Marcus was here for, I don't know how many years, and every season wasn't going to be perfect because as a team and as a club, we haven't been perfect from top to bottom and we haven't been challenging at the top end when you're winning Premier Leagues year after year after year, it's easy as a player to mingle into that group and play well.

“So Marcus has been part of a rough ride for Manchester United, and when that happens and the team doesn't deliver, players get dug out and he was one of them at that stage. I've been through it. Everyone's been through it at this club.

“He's come back, he's trained over the summer you can tell and he's come back really fit, sharp and we’re excited to have him and hopefully he can chip in with goals.”