Marcus Rashford on readiness for a new challenge

Marcus Rashford dismisses rumors of his intention to leave 'Manchester United', calling them false.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has refuted recent rumors suggesting he plans to leave the Premier League leaders. Last month, Rashford declared his intention to depart Man Utd this year, as he feels ready for a new chapter away from the club where he started his career. The England international shone during the 2022/23 campaign, netting 30 goals across various competitions, but his performance has dramatically declined over the past 18 months.

The 27-year-old has faced criticism for his poor performances and lack of dedication under coaches Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. It was hoped that Amorim's arrival would rejuvenate Rashford, but instead, he has regressed and was left out of the squad for Manchester United's clash against Manchester City on December 15. After being excluded for four consecutive matches, Rashford returned to the bench against Newcastle United but remained an unused substitute during their 2-0 home defeat.

Rashford quickly rebutted this story on his Instagram, stating: “There have been a lot of false narratives in the past weeks, but guys this is getting ridiculous – I’ve never met with agencies and have no intention to...”

Following the loss to Newcastle, Ruben Amorim insisted he wasn't making a statement by keeping Rashford off the pitch: “I think about the team. You think a lot about Marcus. I think about the team. When I make a decision, I'm not making a point. I just want to win the game,” he explained. Discussing Rashford's return, he added: “We have lots of players out, and choices to make. He was available, and this time, he is here.”