English international striker Marcus Rashford hinted at the possibility of leaving Manchester United, saying in an interview that he is “ready for a new challenge” away from Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old player, who was excluded from the derby match against Manchester City (2-1) on Sunday in the English Football League, rose through United’s age teams until he played for the first team in 426 matches, during which he scored 138 goals since his first appearance in 2016.
But he struggled in the last 18 months to reach his usual level, which led to his exclusion from the England squad for the European Cup last summer.
“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” Rashford said in an interview with British journalist Henry Winter on social media, adding: “When I leave, there will be no grudges. There will be no negative comments from me about Manchester United.” “This is me as a person.”
He continued: “If I knew the situation was already bad, I would not make it worse. I saw how other players left (United) in the past and I do not want to be that person. When I leave, I will issue a statement and it will be from me (from his person).”
Rashford admitted that his exclusion from the derby match by new Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim was “frustrating… disappointing. But I am also someone who, as I get older, knows how to deal with setbacks. What am I going to do about it? Do I sit and cry about it? Or “I will do my best the next time I am available (to play).”
United have shown progress since the arrival of Amorim, who said on Sunday that Rashford’s absence from the team’s roster, along with Argentine Alejandro Garnacho, “is not a disciplinary issue.”
Amorim continued: “Next week, next match, a new life and they (the players) are fighting for their places (in the team). For me, what is important is the performance in training, the performance in the match, the way you dress, the way you eat.” “The way you interact with your teammates and push them (to do better).”
The new Portuguese coach, on Wednesday, during a press conference on the eve of the League Cup quarter-final match against Tottenham, addressed Rashford’s statements, confirming his desire to keep him, explaining, “No (I have not spoken to him). Not yet. That was yesterday (when) I gave the players a day off. So he is our player and he is ready for the next match.”
He added, “Of course I want to keep him, because this type of club needs great talents and he is a great talent.”
“So, he just needs to perform at the highest level and that’s what I’m focusing on. I just want to help Marcus.”
He pointed out that the “new challenge” that the English striker talked about can be found at “Old Trafford” in an attempt to revive the fortunes of the team that was once a dominant force in English football, but is currently ranked 13th in the local league.
He added, “We have a new challenge here and it is a difficult challenge. For me, it is the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation, and I have already said that this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I hope that all my players are ready for this new challenge.”
