Marcus Rashford has admitted he is ready for a 'new challenge' amid reports that Manchester United have put him up for sale.
Rashford, 27, was left out of United's squad to face bitter rivals City on Sunday. New manager Ruben Amorim made the decision based on the striker's recent performances. United are reported to be ready to cash in on Rashford, who joined the club at the age of seven, ahead of the January transfer window.
“For me personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” Henry Winter quotes Rashford as saying during a visit to his old primary school, Button Lane, to hand out Christmas presents. “If I leave, there won't be any hard feelings. You won't get any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That's me as a person.”
“If I know a situation is already bad, I'm not going to make it worse. I've seen other players leave in the past and I don't want to be that person. If I leave, I will make sure an explanation and it will be mine.”
When asked if he would 'always stay red', he replied: “Yes! 100 percent. 100 percent.”
On Amorim's decision to leave him out against City, the academy graduate said: “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 get 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.
Rashford scored a milestone of 30 goals for United in the 2022/2023 season but has regressed over the past 18 months despite signing a lucrative long-term contract. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have previously been linked with signing the England international, who last represented his country at the 2022 World Cup.
But he is looking forward to playing for the Three Lions in the 2026 edition in Canada, Mexico and the United States. “I'm halfway through my career. I don't expect my peak to be now,” Rashford added.
“I have played nine years in the Premier League so far and it has taught me a lot, it has helped me grow as a player and as a person. So I have no regrets about the last nine years. I won't.” have some regrets in the future because I take things day by day and sometimes bad things happen, sometimes good things happen. I just try to keep a good balance.
“[The World Cup] it still fascinates me. It's playing for your country in the biggest competition in the world. I've had the opportunity before (Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022) and it's an incredible experience. If I get another opportunity, I will try to grab it with both hands.”
Rashford hopes to play Tottenham away from home in United's Carabao Cup quarter-final on Thursday.
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