Ruben Amorim has refused to close the door on Marcus Rashford at Manchester United, despite the striker hinting that he is ready for a fresh start away from Old Trafford.
On Monday, Rashford told reporter Henry Winter that he is “ready for a new challenge” amid rumors that club ownership INEOS are harboring plans to cash in on the Carrington graduate.
Rashford, 27, was left out of Ruben Amorim’s squad for the Manchester derby at the weekend, which United won 2-1 in dramatic fashion, with the manager. seems to question his professionalism in training.
However, speaking ahead of Man Utd’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham on Thursday, live on Sky SportsAmorim suggested “huge talent” Rashford still has a big role to play at Old Trafford.
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When asked about Rashford’s comments, Amorim said: “I think he is right. We have a new challenge here and it is difficult, it is the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation. This is really a new challenge. I hope all the players I am ready for this new challenge.
“Have I spoken to Marcus Rashford? Not yet, it was yesterday, I gave them permission.”
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Football writer Henry Winter speaks to Sky Sports News following his interview with Marcus Rashford, in which the Man 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 simple, we’re trying different things to push Marcus to be at its best. which he has shown in the past.
“This kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent so we need him to play at the highest level and that’s my focus. I just want to help Marcus.”
Amorim: Rashford noise won’t affect squad
Academy product Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for his boyhood club, having burst onto the scene in February 2016.
But the 27-year-old’s form has dropped dramatically over the past 18 months and Sky Sports News Rashford said firstwho has scored seven times in 24 appearances this season, was on a collision course with the INEOS leadership and ‘clean culture’ approach earlier this year after breaking former manager Erik ten Hag’s rules for a third time in January .
Amorim, Ten Hag’s replacement, was also unimpressed with Rashford’s application on the training ground and general demeanor, leading to him and Alejandro Garnazzo 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 that the sidelined Marcus Rashford could spell the end for him at Old Trafford.
Despite the buzz surrounding Rashford’s future, Amorim insists it will not affect his squad ahead of the busy Christmas period, starting with Spurs on Thursday.
“They (players) are simpler than that,” he said. “They focus on their work, I was a player and we are a bit selfish. It doesn’t even have an impact on the team.
“We have one more training 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 training. I expect the best from every player every day.”
When asked if he would be open to letting a player leave the club in January, he added: “This is in the future, my focus is for all the players to be at their best and to be able to prepare for every game.”
Watch Tottenham vs Man Utd in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, live on Sky Sports on Thursday. starting time 8 p.m
