Marcus Rashford: Manchester United forward 'ready for new challenge' as exit links intensify
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has expressed to journalist Henry Winter that he is "prepared for a new challenge" as speculation grows surrounding the club's INEOS ownership potentially looking to sell the Carrington academy product.
Rashford, 27, did not make it into Ruben Amorim's lineup for the Manchester derby over the weekend, a match that United won in a thrilling 2-1 finish. The head coach seemed to cast doubt on his dedication during training sessions.
"I feel that I'm prepared for a new challenge and to take the next steps in my journey," Rashford said during a visit to his old primary school on Tuesday. He has been with the club for nearly two decades.
"When I decide to go, there won’t be any hard feelings. If I realize a situation is already tough, I won’t add to the negativity."
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"I've noticed how some players have exited before, and I don’t want to be one of them. When I decide to go, I want it to be my own message and something I’ve expressed myself."
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He said, "It’s disappointing to not be part of a derby, but it’s happened. We won the match, so let’s focus on what’s next."
It's frustrating, but I've learned to handle disappointments better as I've matured. Instead of sulking about it, I ask myself what I can do. Should I just sit around feeling sorry for myself? Or should I put in my best effort the next time I get a chance?
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Sky Sports News was the first to announce that Rashford, who has netted seven goals in 24 matches this season, was facing issues with the INEOS management due to their strict "clean culture" guidelines. This tension arose earlier this year when he violated rules set by former manager Erik ten Hag for the third time in January.
Amorim, who is taking over for Ten Hag, has not been satisfied with Rashford's effort during training and his overall attitude, which resulted in his being left out of the team for Sunday’s match.
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The manager clarified that Rashford's absence wasn't due to any disciplinary reasons when asked about it.
What matters to me is how well you train, how you play during games, your appearance, your eating habits, and how you interact with and motivate your teammates.
Gary Neville from Sky Sports recently raised concerns about Rashford's professionalism after he traveled to the United States during the recent international break and was seen at an NBA game in New York.
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The player acknowledges that he feels "misinterpreted" and has "no regrets" about the past nine years. At the same time, he is optimistic about rejoining the England team under new manager Thomas Tuchel as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
"Amorim Suggests A Breaking Point Ahead"
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Sports writer Henry Winter:
Ruben Amorim's remarks following the derby hinted strongly at a potential split. It's understandable that this situation stirs up feelings, especially since Marcus Rashford is a local talent with impressive skills and has represented England 60 times. This is definitely going to capture a lot of attention.
Sometimes saying goodbye brings a bittersweet feeling, but other times it's a necessary type of sadness. I'm confident that there will be interest in him – whether he's in Spain or Italy – since he’s at that perfect age for footballers, where he has both the physical fitness and a wealth of experience.
Amorim has a particular strategy in mind, while Rashford is quite flexible. However, based on today’s news, it seems like Rashford may not fit into those plans.
"Amorim Aims To Unlock Rashford's Potential"
Melissa Reddy from Sky Sports News:
Without any demand for Rashford, Amorim has been experimenting with various approaches to motivate him. He stated, "With Rash, we've tried certain things for a long time, and they haven’t been effective. Should we just keep doing the same thing? Or try a new approach?"
Not being included in the lineup for the match against Manchester City has, for now, successfully motivated the player to improve their training efforts and approach.
Rashford shared a picture of the team's celebration after Amad scored a fantastic winning goal, captioning it, "Yesssssssss! Love it, guys!" on social media. This was interpreted as a response to Amorim's remark that factors like "teamwork and connections with teammates" will play a role in his decisions when choosing the players for the match-day squad.
Carragher: Rashford's Departure Is 'Inevitable'
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Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
Many new managers aim to communicate the expectations of the football club to their team. At times, this seems like a more significant choice than it really is.
"Is Marcus Rashford really among the top eleven players? How skilled is he? We're not discussing a globally recognized superstar. To be completely candid, I believe we tend to focus on Marcus Rashford more than necessary."
"While he's a solid player for Manchester United, he hasn't quite reached greatness. It might be the right moment for him to move on from the club, but it's uncertain if any teams would be interested, especially considering his current salary and other factors."
"I believe that eventually, Manchester United and Rashford will have to go their separate ways. It would be best for both parties if this happened sooner rather than later."
