I'm not able to make that happen.
MC should selected the folder that you came back from.
If I select c:\temp , Then enters that folder, And then go back using "BACK" go (backspace, go to parent) or presses ".."
Then C:\temp is now selected and is the focused item.
It might be that some settings is colliding with something and turning it off. But I'm not able to reproduce it.
The folder that is selected when going it back. It is a random folder , or the ".." item . Or a folder you been in before ?
It might work better if you go back by "go to parent/up" by clicking ".." or press backspace or "up" button
Selecting BACK just jumps back in history and the history item might have another folder remembered as "focused" depending on what you done.