Marcus Rashford’s new tattoo says all the pieces as Man Utd star ‘now smelling of roses’

Marcus Rashford has added his new shirt number to his tattoo collection, with a Manchester United legend declaring the ink shows “intent” for him to rediscover his form

Marcus Rashford’s latest tattoo shows his “intent” to register another 30-goal season for Manchester United, according to former Reds goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

Rashford, 28, looked set to leave Old Trafford last summer after moving to Barcelona on loan with a £26million option to make the switch permanent. Despite the Catalan club opting not to exercise that option, talk of Rashford’s departure has continued. However, under Michael Carrick’s stewardship, Rashford has been reintegrated into the United squad and has started their last two Premier League fixtures against Ipswich Town and Everton.

He has been assigned the No.9 shirt for the season and the lifelong United supporter has added the iconic number to his collection of tattoos representing his previous shirt numbers, which are inked on his body.

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In fact, in a social media post last week, he revealed the addition of both the No.9 and the No.14 shirt numbers he wore during his loan spell at Barcelona last season.

Rashford put in an impressive performance during United’s 2-2 draw at Everton on Sunday and Schmeichel is convinced that his new tattoo proves he means business on his return to his boyhood club.

“Coming away from that game, Rashford is now smelling of roses. I thought he was absolutely fantastic,” Schmeichel said. “During the week there was a newspaper article showing that he had got himself a new tattoo. He’s got a tattoo with all the shirt numbers he’s had and he’s added the No.9 [his new Man Utd shirt number] to it.

“It just shows that there’s some intent now for Marcus to go back to what he was for Manchester United four years ago when he scored 30 goals in one season. He was playing like this.

“Seeing his teammates, putting them in, getting the ball into good positions, stepping up, getting the ball into the box. He wasn’t trying to do everything himself; trying to be dangerous.

“That is the Marcus Rashford we all want to see and if that’s what we get for this season, welcome back, Marcus – we have missed you.”

Rashford has rekindled his partnership with Luke Shaw down the left side for United in recent fixtures and Wayne Rooney reckons the pair look more of a “threat”.

“[Shaw] was really good,” Rooney said. “Defensively he was leading and he was good going forward as well. He looked more of a threat today in his connection with Marcus.”

Meanwhile, when asked about Rashford and Shaw during his post-Everton press conference, manager Carrick added: “Marcus and Luke were particularly dangerous down that side.

“They’ve played together for quite some time now and have an understanding. We’re trying to build partnerships and combinations throughout the team.”