Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for Manchester United in 20 months after returning to Michael Carrick’s side for their final pre-season fixture against AC Milan.
The England international spent last season out on loan at Barcelona, following a six-month spell at Aston Villa, but the 28-year-old forward is back in contention under Carrick.
Ironically, Rashford made his return for United against the manager who froze him out from the first team in December 2024 in former head coach Ruben Amorim.
Amorim enjoyed his first win as AC Milan manager in a 4-2 victory over his former side in Wroclaw, Poland, where Rashford featured as a second-half substitute against his former boss.
Rashford wore the No 9 shirt, although United insisted their official numbers for the new season are yet to be confirmed, and played on the left wing following his introduction.
He could yet be involved in United’s Premier League opener against Hull City on Saturday, with Carrick calling Rashford “our player” and saying it was “exciting” to have him back.
It was reported in May that United’s preference was to sell Rashford, who has two years remaining on his contract. Rashford wanted to stay at Barcelona but they opted against exercising their option to buy.
When asked before the Milan friendly if Rashford was for sale, Carrick said: “He’s our player, and he’s a good player and he gives us something a little bit different in the group.
“Marcus can offer us so much. He has done, and he can do again, so in that respect it’s quite exciting.”
Carrick was left with work to do ahead of United’s opening game at newly promoted Hull after United conceded three goals in 15 second-half minutes in their heavy defeat to Milan.
Patrick Dorgu had restored United’s lead following some disastrous Milan defending shortly after half-time, before goals from Alphadjo Cisse, Goncalo Ramos and Ruben Loftus-Cheek completed the comeback for the Italians.
Harry Maguire had opened the scoring for United after just two minutes, with Samuel Chukwueze then punishing some suspect defending from United to equalise, before Bruno Fernandes missed his second penalty of pre-season just before the break.
Elsewhere in pre-season, Enzo Fernandez was booed by some Chelsea fans as he returned to club action for the first time this summer in a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge.
Xabi Alonso’s side won 3-1, with Morgan Rogers opening the scoring on his Chelsea debut after just 11 minutes and Joao Pedro then scoring twice in the second half.
Mikey Moore scored twice for Tottenham in a 3-0 win over Hoffenheim, while Brentford put seven goals past Eintracht Frankfurt as Igor Thiago also scored a brace.
Leeds United were also among the goals in a 4-0 home win over Augsburg but Aston Villa were beaten 2-1 by Borussia Monchengladbach and Bournemouth lost 2-1 at Mainz in Germany. Crystal Palace lost 2-0 at Freiburg.
Matthias Jaissle’s first game in charge of Newcastle United at St James’ Park ended in a 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen but Sunderland came from behind to beat Rennes 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.
Ipswich Town were 3-2 winners at Union Berlin while Hull City wrapped up their preparations for the Premier League with a 0-0 draw against Nice.
Everton conceded a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Lille as Brighton and Fulham signed off pre-season with 1-0 victories over Bologna and Stuttgart respectively.