Marcus Rashford hints at United departure, 'looking forward to new challenge'

Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC at Etihad Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo: Carl Recine / Getty Images)

By Yanga Sibembe

19 Dec 2024

Marcus Rashford’s future as a Manchester United player is in serious doubt. Whether he stays or leaves, the red half of Manchester will still be in troubled waters as it continues to rebuild.

A few days ago, Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford dropped a major hint of his seemingly imminent exit from his boyhood club. Rashford was speaking to English soccer journalist Henry Winter in the aftermath of being dropped for the Red Devils’ 2-1 derby win over Manchester City.

“I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” said Rashford. “When I leave, it’s going to be no hard feelings. If I know that a situation is already bad, I’m not going to make it worse.

“I’ve seen how other players have left in the past, and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave, I’ll make a statement and it will be from me,” the 27-year-old striker said.

“It’s disappointing. But I’m also someone, as I’ve got older, who can deal with setbacks. What am I going to do about it? Sit there and cry about it? Or do my best the next time I’m available?” he said of being dropped for the Manchester derby.

As recently as the 2022/23 season, Rashford managed his best-ever goals return for United as he scored 30 times from 56 matches in all competitions, and helped the Red Devils lift the Carabao Cup by scoring in the final as they beat Newcastle United.

However, his fortunes have made a 180-degree turn since that landmark season. Last campaign he managed just eight goals, despite featuring in 43 matches across competitions. This season he has already scored seven times. But it appears his attitude off the field has placed him in the firing line.

'Pull your weight'

United manager Ruben Amorim — who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag in November 2024 — cited a number of key factors that inform the team he chooses before a game. These include training performance, game performance and how a player engages his teammates.

The Portuguese mentor hinted that Rashford and his teammate Alejandro Garnacho (who was also dropped for the Manchester derby) were not pulling their weight in this regard.

“Everything is important in our context, in the beginning of something when we want to change a lot of things. When people in our club are losing their jobs, we have to put the standards really high,” said Amorim.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. (Photo: Carl Recine / Getty Images)

Since Ineos, a company owned by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, bought a 25% stake in the club there’s been a lot of upheaval there. Ineos has sought to reduce its staff by almost 250 people since being handed the steering wheel by the Glazer family, which remains the majority shareholder of the global brand.

Amorim, who was handpicked by Ineos, is keen to ensure that the message of the hierarchy filters through to his players by cracking the whip, although the 39-year-old has insisted Rashford is still a part of his plans, if he just raises his game.

“Of course, because this kind of club needs big talent, and he’s a big talent. So, he just needs to perform at the highest level, and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus,” Amorim said.

“We have here a new challenge, it’s a tough one, for me it’s the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation, and I’ve already said this is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Amorim.

“This is a really new challenge and the biggest one. I really hope all my players are ready for this new challenge.”

Unfulfilled potential?

Rashford, who also has 60 caps for the senior English team, has played for United his whole career, having climbed up the academy ranks to make his debut for his boyhood club at the age of 18. He scored a brace during his senior debut in February 2016.

Since then, he has rattled the net 138 times in 426 appearances for United. This figure could be higher, if not for his inconsistency, as well as niggling knocks. At 27 years old, he is at the age where should be at the peak of his powers.

If his recent utterances are to be believed, his powers will be unleashed elsewhere. Although former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says that if Rashford does leave, it won’t be a major loss for United.

“He’s a good player, he’s not a great player. He’s been a really good player for Manchester United. It is time for him to leave the club, but whether there’ll be any takers with the wages the lad’s on and things like that, who knows,” Carragher told Sky Sports.

When he burst on to the scene eight years ago, Rashford seemed destined to join a long list of English greats. He has yet to truly live up to that potential. Nevertheless, he has found other ways to leave a lasting legacy. This includes charity work, particularly towards fighting child hunger. His efforts in this regard have earned him the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Now he must put in a similar effort to fighting for his career and not ending it on a whimper, although his troubles are just a symptom of United’s greater struggles as the club attempts to recapture the brilliance of decades past. DM

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'Pull your weight'

Unfulfilled potential?