Rashford ‘ready for new challenge’ as Manchester United exit moves closer

Marcus Rashford's nearly two-decade connection with Manchester United appears to be nearing its conclusion, as the forward stated, “I believe I’m prepared for a new challenge and the next phase.” The England player was left out of the lineup for the Manchester derby win against City on Sunday, and the club is considering the possibility of selling him.

The 27-year-old has had a tough time with his performance in the last two seasons, and the new head coach, Ruben Amorim, along with the club's management, is open to transferring Rashford in January. Manchester United is ready to consider offers for the forward, but his hefty weekly salary of £365,000 might make it challenging to find a buyer who can afford him. As a result, they might have to accept a lower price to facilitate his exit.

“If I’m aware that things are already tough, I won’t add to the problem,” Rashford shared with journalist Henry Winter. “I’ve witnessed how other players have exited before, and I don’t want to follow in their footsteps. When I do decide to leave, I’ll make sure it’s my own message.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a minority owner of United, aims to take a tougher approach than earlier leaderships, and Rashford has been involved in the club's recent struggles. He started with the club when he was just seven years old and made his senior debut at 18, where he scored twice in a Europa League match against Midtjylland, sparking a rapid ascent in his career. So far, he has played 426 matches and netted 138 goals.

Following an impressive tally of 17 goals in the Premier League during the 2022-23 season, Rashford's performance has noticeably dropped. His previous coach, Erik ten Hag, had to reprimand him several times for issues outside of football.

Since his arrival last month, Rashford had been a consistent presence in the squad under Amorim. However, he, along with teammate Alejandro Garnacho, did not make the journey to the Etihad Stadium over the weekend. Amorim commented on this development: "It's essential to consider how players perform in training, how they play in matches, their personal habits, such as how they dress and eat, and their interactions with teammates—especially in terms of supporting and motivating each other."

Regarding being excluded from the lineup, Rashford expressed, “It’s tough to not take part in a derby, but it’s part of the game. We won, so I’m ready to move forward. I’m not happy about it, but as I've matured, I’ve learned to cope with disappointments. What can I do? I could dwell on it and feel sorry for myself, or I can focus on giving my best the next time I'm called upon.”

Rashford's disappointing performances last season led Gareth Southgate to omit him from the England squad for the European Championship. He hasn't managed to regain the form that earned him 60 international caps, which has led to the idea that both he and Manchester United might benefit from a new beginning.

"I'm currently at the midpoint of my career," Rashford shared. "I don't think I'm at my peak yet. After nine years in the Premier League, I've learned so much, which has contributed to my development both as a player and as an individual. I have no regrets about the past nine years, and I won't have any as I move forward because I approach each day as it comes. There are ups and downs – sometimes things go well, while other times they don't – but I aim to maintain a good balance." When questioned if the best is yet to come, he replied, "Absolutely. That's how I think."