It comes after Rashford said he was ‘ready to leave’
Manchester united boss Ruben Amorim has broken his silence on Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United after the striker said he was ‘ready to leave’.
The 27-year-old was dropped by Ruben Amorim ahead of the Manchester derby last weekend though the boss said there were no disciplinary issues behind the decision.
In his latest press conference Amorim said: “We have here a new challenge, it’s a tough one, for me it’s the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation and I already said this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. This is a really new challenge and the biggest one. I really hope all my players are ready for this new challenge.
“I’ve had not spoken to him yet. Yesterday was a day off for the lads. He’s our player and ready for the next game. I spoke with a lot of players individually during training sessions. What I want is to take the best Marcus Rashford so I don’t talk about the future, I just talk about the present.
“I want the best of each one of them and that is the key point for me, I just want to win and to help the team be better. We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past. And that’s all.
“Of course [I want him to stay], because this kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus. The others focus on their job.
“I was a player, we are a bit selfish, and they are focused on winning their place in the team. so I don’t think he has an impact on the team. It’s the same situation as with all the others, if they train well then I have to make a choice and we will see.
“Of course I expect the best of each players every day. This is in the future [Rashford’s availability], my focus is to have all the players in the best that they can be to prepare for each game. There is no if at this kind of club, it is just Tottenham and let’s focus on this game.”
Marcus Rashford tells @henrywinter he's ready to leave #MUFC. “For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge & the next steps. When I leave it's going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United."
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) December 17, 2024
In an interview with football writer Henry Winter, Rashford said: “If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. 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. When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.
“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”
After the derby, Rashford posted his support for his teammates on social media, happy for them that they got the win.
His brother and his agent, Dwaine Maynard, responded: “As you say, all you want is United to win. Regardless of anything else.”
Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2016, having started his career at the club’s academy.
His most prolific campaign came in 2022/23 when he scored 30 in all competitions.
However, in the past couple of seasons he has struggled for form, drawing criticism from pundits.
It wasn’t just Rashford who found himself sidelined on Sunday, with Alejandro Garnacho also left out of the starting 11.
Rashford added that he feels ‘misunderstood’ but 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.”
When asked about the decision Amorim responded: “Next week, next game, new life and they are fighting for the places. 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.”
