Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford has told journalist Henry Winter that he is “ready for a new challenge”, despite rumors that the club’s INEOS owner has plans to capitalize on the Carrington graduate .

Rashford, 27, was left out of Ruben Amorim’s squad for the Manchester derby at the weekend, which United won dramatically 2-1, as the head coach appeared to question his professionalism in training.

“Personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” Rashford, who has been at the club for almost 20 years, told Winter during a visit to his former primary school on Tuesday.

“When I go, I won’t have any hard feelings. If I know a situation is already bad, I won’t make it worse.”

“I’ve seen other players leave in the past and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave, I will make a statement, and it will be from myself.”

He added: “It’s disheartening to be left out of a derby but it happened, we won the game so let’s move on.”

“It’s disappointing, but I’m also someone who can deal with setbacks as I get older. What should I do about it? Sit there and cry about it. Or do my best the next time I’m available.”

Sky sports news It was first reported that Rashford, who has scored seven goals in 24 appearances this season, was on a collision course with the INEOS leadership and its “clean culture” approach earlier this year after breaking the rules for the third time in January former manager Erik ten Hag had violated .

Amorim, Ten Hag’s successor, was also unimpressed with Rashford’s effort on the training ground and his general demeanor, which led to him not being recalled from the squad on Sunday.

“It is important to say it was not a disciplinary action,” the manager confirmed when asked why Rashford was missing.

“For me, the performance in training, the performance in the game, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you treat your teammates and push them is important.”

Rashford’s professionalism was also questioned Sky Sports’ Gary Neville recently flew to the US during the international break and was pictured watching an NBA game in New York.

The striker admits he feels “misunderstood” and has “no regrets” over the last nine years, while he also harbors hopes of returning to the England team ahead of the 2026 World Cup under new coach Thomas Tuchel.

“Amorim tries to eliminate Rashford”

Melissa Reddy from Sky Sports News:

In the absence of a market for Rashford, Amorim has tried various methods to convince him. “For so long, with Rash for example, you try something and it doesn’t work,” he said. “Are we going to keep doing the same thing? Or something else?”

The fact that he wasn’t in the squad against Manchester City has so far had the desired effect of improving the player’s training standards and attitude.

Rashford posted a photo on social media of United celebrating after Amad’s sensational winner with the caption: “Yesssssssss! I love it guys”. It was seen as a reference to Amorim’s comment that everything is taken into account when selecting his matchday squad, including “engagement with his teammates”.

Carragher: Rashford’s departure is ‘inevitable’

Jamie Carragher from Sky Sports:

“Most managers who come here want to send a message to the team about the standards of the football club. In some ways it feels like it’s a bigger decision than it actually is.”

“I mean, is Marcus Rashford in the best XI? How good is he? We’re not talking about a world-famous superstar here. I actually think we talk about Marcus Rashford too much if I’m being completely honest.”

“He’s a good player, he’s not a great player, he was a really good player for Manchester United. It’s time for him to leave the club, but whether there will be any takers for the salary the boy earns and things like that,” who knows.

“I just think a split is inevitable at some point and I think for Manchester United and Rashford, the quicker that comes, the better.”