Rashford has spent the past 18 months away from United, with loan spells at Aston Villa and then Barcelona, after falling out of favour under previous manager Rúben Amorim. Barcelona chose not to trigger the purchase option in his loan agreement, meaning the 28-year-old has returned to a club now led by Michael Carrick with his long-term future still unresolved.
Manchester United signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves last year and handed the Brazilian Rashford's old number 10 during his absence.
Sources close to the player say Rashford will not demand the number back out of respect for Cunha, with the vacant number 14 – his squad number throughout his time at Barcelona – set to be reassigned to him instead, says The Sun.
Rashford made his first appearance for United since December 2024 when he came on as a 60th-minute substitute in last Saturday's 4-2 pre-season defeat to AC Milan in Wrocław, Poland. The match also saw him miss the chance to face new Milan boss Amorim, who had frozen Rashford out of his United squad before his departure on loan.
Carrick has said Rashford will be in and around the squad this season, though the forward will need to rebuild trust with staff and supporters if he is to fight his way back into a regular starting role.
His most recent loan spell in Spain proved productive, with Rashford contributing heavily to Barcelona's title-winning campaign before the Catalan club opted against making the move permanent.
The confirmation of his new number came before his return to full training, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Manchester United viewed the gesture as a signal of trust and intent to include Rashford as part of the squad going forward, rather than as a player being eased toward an exit.
His current contract at Old Trafford runs until June 2028, giving the club no immediate financial pressure to sell even if a suitable offer were to arrive before the window closes.
United begin their Premier League campaign this weekend, with Rashford expected to feature in some capacity as Carrick continues assessing where the forward fits into his plans for the season ahead.