Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford says he is “ready for a new challenge” after being asked about his future at the club.
Rashford, 27, was dropped from the squad for Sunday’s derby which United won 2-1 against Manchester City.
New head coach Ruben Amorim confirmed that there were no disciplinary issues behind his decision, but he appeared to hint he had hoped to see more from the England player on and off the pitch during his first few weeks in charge.
In an interview with football writer Henry Winter published on X, Rashford said: “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.
“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. That’s me as a person.
“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”
Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2016, having come through the United youth ranks.
The 2022-23 campaign was his most prolific when he scored 30 in all competitions.
However, he has struggled for form over the past 18 months and attracted criticism from pundits and fans for a number of laboured displays.
When asked about his decision to omit Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from his matchday squad at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Amorim said: “It is important to say it was not a disciplinary thing.
“Next week, next game, new life and they are fighting for the places. For me what is important is the performance in training, the performance in game, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with team-mates and push team-mates.”
Rashford’s professionalism was questioned by former United captain Gary Neville after he flew to the United States during the recent international break and was pictured attending an NBA game in New York.
Speaking further about his situation, Rashford who says he feels “misunderstood” added: “It’s disheartening to be left out of a derby, but it’s happened, we won the game so let’s move on.
“It’s disappointing, but I’m also someone as I’ve got older, I 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 also stressed that the prospect of an England return under new manager Thomas Tuchel “still excites” him after being excluded from Gareth Southgate’s squad for this summer’s European Championship in Germany, where the Three Lions lost to Spain in the final.
