Marcus Rashford: Manchester United forward 'ready for new challenge' as exit links intensify

17 December 2024, 19:58 | Updated: 17 December 2024, 21:24

Man Utd forward Marcus Rashford has told journalist Henry Winter that he is "ready for a new challenge" amid rumours of the club's INEOS ownership harbouring plans to cash in on the Carrington graduate.

Rashford, 27, was left out of Ruben Amorim's squad for the Manchester derby at the weekend, which United dramatically won 2-1, with the head coach appearing to question his professionalism in training.

"For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," Rashford, who has been at the club for almost 20 years, told Winter during a visit to his former primary school on Tuesday.

"When I leave it's going to be 'no hard feelings'. If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse.

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"I've seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person. When I leave I'll make a statement and it will be from me."

He added: "It's disheartening to be left out of a derby but it's happened, we won the game so let's move on.

"It's disappointing but I'm also someone as I've got older I can deal with setbacks. What am I going to do about it? Sit there and cry about it. Or do my best the next time I'm available."

Sky Sports News first reported Rashford, who has scored seven times in 24 appearances this season, was on a collision course with the INEOS leadership and their "clean culture" approach earlier this year, after he breached former manager Erik ten Hag's rules for a third time in January.

Amorim, Ten Hag's replacement, has also been unimpressed with Rashford's application at the training ground and his general demeanour, which led to his omission from the squad on Sunday.

"It is important to say it was not a disciplinary thing," the manager confirmed, when asked why Rashford was missing.

"For me what is important is the performance in training, the performance in game, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with team-mates and push team-mates."

Rashford's professionalism has also been questioned by Sky Sports' Gary Neville recently after he flew to the US during the recent international break and was pictured watching an NBA game in New York.

The forward admits he feels "misunderstood" and has "no regrets" from the last nine years, while he also harbours hopes of a return to the England fold ahead of the 2026 World Cup under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

'Amorim's comments indicate a parting of ways'

Football journalist Henry Winter:

"Ruben Amorim's comments after the derby were fairly indicative of a parting of ways. Obviously it's going to cause emotion because Marcus Rashford is homegrown, he's very talented, 60 caps for England. It's going to be a big story.

"Sometimes parting causes sweet sorrow, but sometimes it's necessary sorrow. I'm sure there will be a market - whether that be in Spain or Italy - because he's at that magical age for footballers where he still retains his athleticism but has got so much experience.

"Amorim wants to play a specific system and Rashford is adaptable, but reading the headlines today it looks like Rashford isn't in those plans."

'Amorim trying to get tune out of Rashford'

Sky Sports News' Melissa Reddy:

In the absence of a market for Rashford, Amorim has been trying different methods to get a tune out of him. "For so long, for example with Rash, you try a thing, it doesn't work," he said. "Let's continue to do the same thing? Or something different?"

Being left out of the squad against Manchester City has so far had the desired effect of elevating the player's training standards and attitude.

Rashford posted a photograph of United's celebration following Amad's sensational winner with the caption, "Yesssssssss! Love it lads" on social media. It was viewed as a nod to Amorim's comment that everything, including "engagement with team-mates" will be considered when he selects a match-day squad.

Carragher: Rashford leaving is 'inevitable'

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:

"Most managers who come in, they want to send a message to the squad about the standards of the football club. In some ways it feels a bigger decision than it actually is.

"I mean, is Marcus Rashford in the best XI? How good is he? We're not talking about a world-renowned superstar here. I actually think we talk about Marcus Rashford too much, if I'm being totally honest.

"He's a good player, he's not a great player, he's been a really good player for Manchester United. It is time for him to leave the club, but whether there'll be any takers with the wages the lad's on and things like that, who knows.

"I just think a parting of the ways is inevitable at some stage, and I think for Manchester United and Rashford, the quicker that comes, the better."

(c) Sky Sports 2024: Marcus Rashford: Manchester United forward 'ready for new challenge' as exit links intensify