Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says he would be happy for Marcus Rashford to stay at the club but admits he has not yet spoken to the forward after his comments about wanting a new challenge on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalist Henry Winter about possibly leaving United, Rashford said: “I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”
He added: “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.”
Rashford’s comments came after he was left out of the United squad which beat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, alongside fellow academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho. England international Rashford had previously featured in all 15 of United’s Premier League matches.
Asked whether he would be happy for the 27-year-old to stay at United ahead of Thursday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham, Amorim replied: “Of course, because this kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent. He just needs to perform at the highest level. That is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.”
GO DEEPER
Where Rashford and Garnacho are struggling on the pitch as Amad thrives under Amorim
Amorim also said he had not spoken to Rashford since his comments as Tuesday was a day off for the United players.
“He’s our player and he’s ready for the next game,” Amorim added. “I spoke with a lot of players individually and during trainings.
“What I want is to take the best of Marcus Rashford and the other players. I don’t talk about the future. I talk about the present.
“I want to best of each of them. I just want to win and help the team to be better. We are better with Marcus Rashford, that’s simple and we try our best to push Marcus Rashford to the level he is at before.”
On whether Rashford and Garnacho would return to the United squad for the trip to Spurs, Amorim said: “We have one more training but it’s the same as the other players. If they train well, then I have to make a choice. We’ll see at the end of training.
“I expect the best of each player every day so we will see after training.”
Rashford has scored seven goals and provided three assists in 24 appearances for United this season. He has struggled to replicate his form from the 2022-23 campaign, when he registered 30 goals and nine assists in all competitions. His United contract runs until June 2028.
Following the Tottenham game, United return to league action with the visit of Bournemouth on Sunday before travelling to Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 26.
GO DEEPER
Amorim showed his teeth with Rashford and Garnacho – and will be emboldened by the result
(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
