Ruben Amorim has refused to shut out Marcus Rashford at Manchester United, despite the forward hinting he is ready for a fresh start away from Old Trafford.
on monday Rashford told journalist Henry Winter that he is “ready for a new challenge”. Amid news of the club’s ownership by INEOS planning to cash in on the Carrington graduate.
Rashford, 27, was left out of Ruben Amorim’s squad for the Manchester derby at the weekend, where United won 2-1 in dramatic fashion with the manager in tow. coming into question his professionalism in training.
However, speaking ahead of Manchester United’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham on Thursday, Live on Sky SportsAmorim suggested “big talent” Rashford still has a big role to play at Old Trafford.
Thursday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m
Start: 20:00
When asked about Rashford’s comments, Amorim said: “I think he is right. We have a new challenge here, this is the biggest challenge in football. This is a really new challenge. I hope all my players are ready for this new challenge :
“Have I spoken to Marcus Rashford? Not yet, it was yesterday, I gave them the day off.”
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Football writer Henry Winter speaks to Sky Sports News following his interview with Marcus Rashford, in which the Manchester United striker said he is “ready for a new challenge” and insisted the England star will leave “with respect”.
When pressed on the England international’s future, Amorim added: “I just want to win and help the team get better, so we’re better with Marcus Rashford and that’s very clear, we’re trying to push Marcus to his best level that he’s shown in the past.
“A club like this needs a big talent and he’s a big talent, so we need him to perform at the highest level and that’s my focus. I just want to help Marcus.”
Amorim. The Rashford buzz won’t affect the team
Academy producer Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for his boyhood club since arriving on the scene in February 2016.
But the 27-year-old’s form has plummeted over the past 18 months and Sky Sports News first reported by Rashfordwho has scored seven goals in 24 appearances this season, clashed with INEOS management and their ‘clean culture’ approach earlier this year after falling foul of former manager Erik ten Haag for the third time in January.
Amorim, Ten Hag’s replacement, was also unimpressed with Rashford’s appeal on the pitch and his general demeanor, which led to him and Alejandro Garnacho being left out of the squad on Sunday.
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Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher looks back at Manchester United’s derby win over Manchester City and suggests Marcus Rashford’s omission from the squad could spell the end for him at Old Trafford.
Despite the uproar surrounding Rashford’s future, Amorim insists it will not affect his squad ahead of the busy Christmas period, which begins against Spurs on Thursday.
“They (the players) are simpler than that,” he said.
“We have another training session, but it’s the same situation as the other players, if they train well, then I have to make a choice. We’ll see at the end of the training session. I expect the best from every player.”
Asked if he would be open to letting the player leave the club in January, he added: “This is in the future, my focus is that all the players are at their best and can prepare for every match.”
