Patrice Evra gives his take on what Man Utd should do about Marcus Rashford situation

Patrice Evra has given his take on the "really tricky" situation involving Marcus Rashford and Manchester United.

Rashford, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona, returned to Carrington this month and took part in the club's pre-season clash against AC Milan, his first appearance for United since December 2024.

Michael Carrick is open to using Rashford in the coming months. Speaking ahead of their Premier League opener against Hull City, the United head coach was full of praise for the England international.

“It’s been pretty obvious since Marcus came back training that he's come back fantastically well,” Carrick said. “He's enjoying his football, he looks fit, he looks sharp, he looks strong, he looks ready to play football."

Asked whether Rashford could feature as a centre-forward for United this season, Carrick added: “Of course he can play through in the middle. He has done. I wouldn't say it's naturally his number-one position, but he can do that."

As the end of the window draws near, it appears more likely than ever that Rashford will stay at Old Trafford, especially after Barcelona decided against activating the €30 million (£25.9m) buy option in his season-long loan deal.

Patrice Evra on whether Marcus Rashford should be sold this summer

With Rashford's future continuing to be a talking point, former United defender Patrice Evra has given his take on the situation.

Speaking to SPORTbible, via Stake, Evra was asked whether the forward should be sold this summer, or if he deserves another chance.

"Well, this is really tricky. I don't know, is there a curse when you come back to your club, you will never do great? But it's not the case with Marcus because he left and people weren't happy. He went on loan," Evra began.

"It depends. I think if Marcus comes back and forgets he's been an academy player for Manchester, and he forgets he's from Manchester, then he can do great.

"But you need to lower the pressure, and when the fans see that he doesn't make a run or whatever, they're going to blame him straight away. If I am the manager, I want Marcus in my team.

"It is the communication. I think it would be really important to see his conversation with Michael Carrick. What Michael Carrick will say to him to get the best of him - ‘forget about the media, forget about the pressure, I trust you.’

Evra added: "I want the best for Marius Rashford because he has still got it and we all know that. He's not an old player. Personally, in my opinion, yes, but also when you come back to your old club, it never happens like it was amazing."

The former France international, who made 379 appearances for United between 2006 and 2014, also have his thoughts on United's activity in the transfer market, as well as their chances of winning the Premier League.

What are the areas that United still need to address in the transfer market? Are there any players in particular that you think should be signed, maybe some players nobody is talking about?

Evra: "I'm really happy with the transfer window with Tielemans and Santos. We lost Casemiro, and it would be difficult to replace him. But I think with these two players, we have got something we can fix.

"Kobbie Mainoo, I hope he's going to have more time to play. But anyway, Carrick, I love him. I just think United have brought some more hope.

"To win the title? No, we need more than that. I wish and I still don't understand why we didn’t sign a striker like Victor Osimhen. You know, he's just crazy and I don't want him to end up in

Madrid or Arsenal or whatsoever. So we need a big striker.

"We still need a left back because Luke Shaw has a lot of injuries, maybe to support him because now Dorgu can play left back, but as a winger, I think he's more efficient.

"It's more in the midfield to make sure Bruno will be free to focus more on the attacking side. And midfield, I think that's the problem. Midfield."

Who will win the Premier League? Who will finish in the top five, and where will United finish?

Evra: "You see normally, it's Arsenal. They are the most complete. Now they have broken that curse. I used to call them Netflix because you always had to wait for the next season. After 20 years, they broke that curse, so they don't have this pressure anymore.

"But again, maybe those players will say ‘OK, we won it. We don't have the same motivation, the same passion.’ I won it three times in a row with United, but it's because our motivation was always on point. So if they still got it, I don't see why Arsenal don't win.

"Liverpool? I don't know what Liverpool are doing. Chelsea will surprise people. I think Chelsea will be a challenger. Manchester City, I don't understand why people never talk about "Manchester City - only because Guardiola left, but the players are still there. They're going to reinforce. I love Maresca. I was with him when I was at West Ham. I think he did a great job with "Chelsea. He won the Club World Cup and the Conference League, and he was fifth when they sacked him. He's still a great manager.

"So my top five is Arsenal, City, United. Chelsea and Tottenham. It will surprise you but I believe in De Zerbi. I love this coach and I remember everyone was already celebrating that Spurs were going to be relegated.

"When I saw De Zerbi, I said to all my friends, there's no way Tottenham are going to get relegated. We'll see. I'm crazy anyway."