Man Utd news: Marcus Rashford snub explained as JJ Gabriel pathway clear

Manchester United are preparing for a derby on Sunday and Michael Carrick's attacking players have been making their case for minutes

After romping to. a 4-0 victory over Sabah in their Champions League opener, Manchester United will turn their attentions to a massive Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday. The last time the fixture was played, it was the first United match with Michael Carrick back in the dugout and the boss kick-started his spell in charge with a 2-0 win.

This time around, it's Carrick's rival who will be taking charge of his first Manchester Derby. City boss Enzo Maresca tasted defeat on his last visit to Old Trafford when his Chelsea side lost 2-1 in September 2025, but is coming off a hard-fought European victory over Porto.

United take on their neighbours after winning just one of their first three league matches, meaning even victory won't be enough to lift them above City. "Results-wise, it hasn't been the start we wanted, we wanted more points in the league," Carrick admitted after the Sabah victory.

There has been excitement this season about the return of Marcus Rashford and the progress of JJ Gabriel, though there's a chance neither will start on Sunday. We've got updates on both players as we bring you the latest lines from around Old Trafford.

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Barca chief explains Rashford snub

Marcus Rashford hit double-figures for goals and assists at Barcelona last summer and yet the club opted against turning his loan into a permanent move. The Catalan club instead moved for Rashford's England team-mate Anthony Gordon and their sporting director Deco explained why they felt Gordon was the better fit.

"One of the things we saw that was difficult last year was the fact that, when we were without Raphinha, the team's energy seemed to drop," Deco told Marca. "We looked at many wingers, but signing players in the Premier League is almost impossible, you see the figures involved.

"He (Gordon_ was the profile that best fit. The great advantage is that the players are excited to come to our project."

United coach lays out Gabriel's path

JJ Gabriel got a taste of first-team action in pre-season, but the United prodigy is still waiting for his competitive debut. However, academy coach Adam Lawrence shed some light on the teenager's path forward after an eye-catching hat-trick against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League.

"JJ is surrounded by people that really believe in him," Lawrence said. "From the top of the club right the way through. Where he's been at the club for so long, he's got good relationships with the players, with the staff.

"Over the course of time that helps as well. At the moment just in terms of his game, his games programme, his training programme, making sure that he's getting the right exposure across different levels.

"We're obviously not perfect but it's definitely something we put a lot of thought into. So yeah, it's good to see him just enjoying his football and in a good place for sure."

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