Marcus Rashford has returned to Manchester United’s Champions League squad for the first time in 1,036 days, marking another major step in his comeback at Old Trafford.
The England forward is included in United’s squad for their Champions League return against Azerbaijani champions Sabah on Thursday, September 10.
Rashford’s previous Champions League appearance for Manchester United came against FC Copenhagen in November 2023. United’s official squad announcement from November 7, 2023, confirmed that Rashford travelled with the team for the Copenhagen fixture.
The long wait reflects the dramatic changes in Rashford’s Manchester United career since that night in Denmark.
Rashford back on Europe’s biggest stage
Rashford is now set to experience Champions League football with United again after spending the previous season away from the club.
The 28-year-old spent time on loan at Aston Villa before joining Barcelona for the 2025/26 campaign. He returned to Manchester United this summer and has subsequently been reintegrated into the first-team setup under manager Michael Carrick.
His return to the Champions League squad represents another indication that United are once again counting on him.
Rashford has already featured for United this season, including consecutive Premier League starts before the Champions League opener. He was substituted during the draw against Everton after suffering an issue, but Carrick subsequently described the problem as nothing major.
Last Champions League appearance came in Copenhagen
Rashford’s last Champions League appearance for United came on November 8, 2023, when Erik ten Hag’s side travelled to face Copenhagen.
It was a memorable but ultimately painful night for the club.
United took a 2-0 lead before Copenhagen produced a remarkable comeback to win 4-3.
Rashford was sent off during the match, adding to the drama of a contest that became one of the defining moments of United’s unsuccessful 2023/24 Champions League campaign.
United eventually finished bottom of their group and were eliminated from European competition altogether.
Rashford would not return to the Champions League with Manchester United before his subsequent departures on loan.
A very different Rashford returns
Much has changed since that Copenhagen match.
Rashford’s relationship with Manchester United deteriorated during the period that followed, particularly during Ruben Amorim’s time as manager.
The forward eventually left the club on loan, first joining Aston Villa and then Barcelona.
His spell in Spain proved productive, with Rashford contributing to Barcelona’s successful La Liga campaign. Barcelona ultimately decided against making his move permanent, however, allowing him to return to his boyhood club.
His return initially generated questions about whether he would remain at United, but the club ultimately kept him and handed him the No. 9 shirt.
Rashford has since been given another opportunity to establish himself as an important member of the United attack.
Manchester United return to the Champions League
Rashford’s return comes as Manchester United make their own comeback to Europe’s elite competition.
United qualified for the 2026/27 Champions League after finishing third in the Premier League last season.
Their opening match is against Sabah at Old Trafford on Thursday, with the fixture representing United’s first Champions League appearance since 2023.
It is also a historic occasion for Sabah, who are making their debut in the Champions League league phase.
The match has an unusual Thursday kick-off because the opening round of this season’s competition has been spread across three days.
For Rashford, however, the significance will be personal.
After nearly three years away from the competition with United, he is once again part of the club’s Champions League plans.
United hoping Rashford can rediscover his best form
Manchester United will hope Rashford can rediscover the form that previously made him one of the club’s most dangerous attackers.
The forward enjoyed his best statistical season for United in 2022/23, scoring 30 goals across all competitions.
His pace, ability to attack from the left and finishing have traditionally made him an important attacking outlet.
United’s current attack also includes Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, creating a new-look forward line under Carrick.
The group has already shown flashes of potential, although they are still developing an understanding of each other’s movements.
Rashford’s return to Champions League football could therefore provide another opportunity for that attacking unit to develop.
A fresh European chapter
The 1,036-day gap between Rashford’s Champions League appearances illustrates just how much his career has changed since that night in Copenhagen.
He has experienced difficult periods at United, spent time away from the club and played for two other teams before returning to Old Trafford.
Now he has another chance to write a different chapter.
Whether Rashford starts against Sabah or comes from the bench, his inclusion itself is significant.
For a player who once appeared to have moved away from the centre of United’s plans, returning to the Champions League squad is another indication that his story at the club is far from finished.
And with United back among Europe’s elite, Rashford now has the opportunity to turn his long-awaited return into something much more memorable than his last Champions League appearance.
