Marcus Rashford reveals his readiness for a fresh start after being dropped for Manchester United’s win over City, hinting at a possible departure from the club.

Marcus Rashford has dropped a bombshell on his Manchester United future, declaring that he is “ready for a new challenge” following his recent omission from the squad in the club’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City.

The 27-year-old forward, who has been a key figure at United since his debut in 2016, was not included in the matchday squad by new head coach Ruben Amorim. While Amorim confirmed that there were no disciplinary issues behind the decision, he subtly hinted that he had hoped to see more from Rashford both on and off the pitch during his initial weeks in charge.

In an interview with football writer Henry Winter, Rashford addressed his current situation, stating: “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. No hard feelings.”

Rashford, who has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for United, said that although it was “disheartening” to be dropped for such a significant match, he remains determined to keep moving forward. “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 said, showing his resolve to push through setbacks.

The forward’s comments come after a period of frustrating form. Having enjoyed his most prolific season in 2022-23, where he scored 30 goals across all competitions, Rashford has struggled over the past 18 months, facing criticism from both fans and pundits for several underwhelming performances.

Rashford’s professionalism has also been questioned, notably after he attended an NBA game in New York during the international break, a trip that caught the attention of former United captain Gary Neville, who expressed his concerns. Rashford, however, responded to the criticism by saying he felt “misunderstood” and insisted that he has learned to handle such setbacks.

When discussing his omission from the squad, Amorim stressed that it wasn’t a disciplinary issue but highlighted the importance of player performance, both in training and on match days, as well as how players engage with teammates. “Next week, next game, new life,” Amorim said, emphasising that Rashford and others would have to fight for their place in the team.

Despite his recent struggles, Rashford remains hopeful for a future with England, revealing that the prospect of a return to the national team under new manager Thomas Tuchel still excites him, following his exclusion from Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2024 European Championship in Germany.

As Rashford continues to deal with criticism and uncertainty over his future, his comments suggest that a potential departure from Manchester United could be on the horizon, as he sets his sights on a fresh challenge.