Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been excluded from Ruben Amorim’s matchday squad for the third consecutive Premier League game.
This comes after a week where the England international hinted at the possibility of leaving Old Trafford.
The Red Devils academy graduate has faced a challenging few seasons, grappling with inconsistent form and limited game time. While Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the club, he has managed just four goals in the Premier League this season.
On Sunday, Manchester United faced AFC Bournemouth, but Rashford was neither in the starting lineup nor on the bench. His last start came on December 1 against Everton, a match in which he scored twice during a 4-0 victory.
Amorim has remained reserved about the reasons behind Rashford’s exclusion, clarifying that the decision is not related to injury. Speaking to Sky Sports before the Bournemouth clash, he said:
“It is my decision, and it always will be. I want to see the best of my players, and I try different things with different players, so that is my focus.”
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Marcus Rashford, as a January departure from Old Trafford appears increasingly likely. The Metro described a January transfer for Rashford as “inevitable,” suggesting the Gunners might “revive their interest” in the forward. When asked about the rumors, Mikel Arteta responded, “No, and you know that I’m not going to talk about players from other clubs.”
Arsenal are actively seeking a new attacking presence, having been linked during the summer to players like Viktor Gyökeres, Victor Osimhen, and Ivan Toney. With ongoing interest in Leandro Trossard and concerns about Bukayo Saka’s fitness, the need for reinforcements on the wing has become pressing. Rashford, who is versatile enough to play both on the flanks and centrally, could provide the ideal solution.
Marcus Rashford ‘ready for new challenge’
Rashford spoke to Henry Winter this week about his future and said: “For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.
“When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.
“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.”
