Marcus Rashford wants a 'new challenge' and Ruben Amorim looks like he's willing to hand him this opportunity by leaving Manchester United. The Portuguese coach is playing down speculation he's dropped the English forward because he wants him out of the club.
However, Rashford hasn't played a single minute since United's 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League (December 12). He hasn't been on the pitch for close to a month and although he's struggled with various fitness issues, it's clear that an exit is desired from at least the higher-ups at Old Trafford.
Rashford, 27, when at his best, is quite possibly the Red Devils' greatest player. Bruno Fernandes may have a case to make but the England international's 2022-23 campaign was up there with Cristiano Ronaldo's 2007-08 season or Robin van Persie's 2012-13 exploits, the only problem was that it didn't lead to a Premier League title.
Marcus Rashford Needs To Leave Manchester United
Every United fan will remember when Rashford debuted at senior level in 2016 when he hit a double on his debut. Fast forward nine years and he's bagged 138 goals and 63 assists in 426 games for his boyhood club.
However, there has long been rumors of behind-the-scenes issues with Rashford. Reputable journalist Andy Mitten has claimed many past United managers he's spoken to have had problems with the player. Erik ten Hag was forced to discipline him twice during his tumultuous reign. Jose Mourinho once argued that Rashford didn't have the mindset that would allow him to flourish as a centre-forward.
Rashford has been pushed as the face of the club during its worst period and carried this burden in failure. Long gone are the days of professionals whose sole ambition is to put United first, but indiscipline tarnishes what the player has achieved on the pitch.
Where next for Rashford?
Rashford finds himself in a peculiar situation as it feels as though United want to cut ties perhaps at the worst stage of his career. He's without a recent run of game time, lacked form this season and has had his character questioned in the media over the past year.
A move abroad could be in the offing for Rashford if he were to move this month. The Athletic's David Ornstein claims AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and some Premier League clubs are weighing up a loan move until the end of the season.
How that helps rectify the situation is anybody's guess should United indeed agree on a loan departure. The club evidently want to get Rashford off their wage books as he's the highest earner sitting on £300,000 per week, per Salary Sport.
Marcus Rashford should leave the Premier League
Rashford gave a polarising but honest interview with English journalist Henry Winter (although fans inevitably labelled it PR) after Amorim dropped him for the Manchester Derby last month. He said he was ready for a new challenge but wouldn't have a bad word to say about Manchester United if he left.
The only way Rashford leaves United and there isn't any bad blood is if he exits the Premier League altogether. This was a player born and bred a Red Devil who should have been in the conversation with Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton as an all-time great.
If Rashford were to stay in the league this would only fuel more hatred from the Old Trafford faithful. There's a divide over the Englishman but his true passion for the club would remain true if he were to not continue playing his football in English football.