Marcus Rashford faces a challenge to save his future at Manchester United, with the club prepared to cut ties with the forward if he does not raise his standards on and off the pitch.
Sky Sports News first reported in January that the 27-year-old was on a collision course with INEOS management and their 'clean culture' approach, following his third breach of the rules by former manager Erik ten Hag.
Ruben Amorim, the new man at the helm, was also unimpressed with Rashford's registration on the training ground and his general behaviour, leading to his omission from the squad for Sunday's Manchester derby.
Although Alejandro Garnacho also had to watch United's victory at the Etihad from home for the same reason, he has not been a serial offender nor is he considered a senior member of the team who should set an example.
While Amorim has made it clear that no dip in effort will be tolerated, the feeling is that the 20-year-old has not missed out on opportunities like Rashford, for whom the club has been open to offers since January.
The problem then, in the summer, and as things stand now, is that the attacker has no suitors because of his behavior off the field, his form and his mega salary.
In the absence of a market for Rashford, Amorim has tried various methods to get him. “For so long, for example with Rash, you try something and it doesn't work,” he said. 'Let's keep doing the same thing? Or something else?'
Being left out of the squad against Manchester City has had the desired effect so far, improving the player's training standards and attitude.
Rashford posted a photo of United's celebrations after Amad's sensational winner with the caption “Yesssssssss! Love it boys” on social media. It was seen as a nod to Amorim's comment that everything including “commitment to teammates” will be taken into consideration when selecting a matchday squad.
United will hope that Rashford's positive response will not be short-lived as in the past. When Ten Hag excluded him from the starting line-up against Wolves for being late to a team meeting in December 2022, he came off the bench to score the winner and said: 'If I had been a coach I would have done the same. .
“Because if you don't have standards on the training pitch, how do you expect to go on the pitch and win consistently? That's impossible.”
Rashford also responded well to punishment after calling in sick for training when it was discovered he had been partying in Belfast for two nights in January. Ten Hag dropped him against Newport County and then restored him against Wolves, where he was back on the scoresheet.
The revival never lasted long, but United are prepared that Amorim's move – taking him out of the game, which means the most for a local boy – will be the shock Rashford needs. His United future depends on it.
Carragher: Rashford departure is 'inevitable'
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
“Most managers who come in want to send a message to the squad about the standards of the football club. In some ways it feels like 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 too much about Marcus Rashford, if I'm completely honest.
“He's a good player, he's not a great player, he's been a really good player for Manchester United. It's time for him to leave the club, but will there still be people with the wages the boy gets and things like that.” , who knows.
“I think a parting of the ways is inevitable at some point. For Manchester United and Rashford, the sooner that happens, the better.”
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