BBC World Service

Is anyone to blame for the situation Marcus Rashford now finds himself in?

"I think it's partly the club and it's partly him," Henry Winter told the World Service. "I think if you look at United in the 11 years since Sir Alex Ferguson left, not many players have risen to the standards that Ferguson embodied and demanded.

"Rashford has played in that period: 160+ goals in 420 games - he's tried to deliver and sometimes it's worked out fantastically. A couple of seasons ago he got 30 goals so clearly there's a talent there. He's only 27. He's probably got seven or eight years left at the top.

"Speaking to him yesterday, you interview players and they are ridiculously lean and Rashford is very much like a whippet. It's sad that it's come to this but not all relationships last forever."

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on if he will want Rashford as part of the dressing room should he express his desire to leave: "This is in the future. My focus is to have all the players at the best they can be to prepare for each game. We are talking about 'if' - there is no 'if' at this kind of club. It is just Tottenham and let's focus on the game."

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on whether the Rashford situation has an impact on the rest of the squad: "I think it is more simple than that. They focus on their jobs. I was a player too and we are a little bit selfish. They are focused on their job to win a place on this team so it has no impact on the team."

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on whether he speaks to the players about their futures: "I spoke with a lot of players individually and during training. What I want is to take the best of Marcus Rashford. I don't talk about the future, I just talk about the present. I want the best from each one of them. I just want to win and help the team be better. We are better with Marcus Rashford and it's that simple. We will try different things to push Rashford to the best levels that he has shown me in the past."

On whether he would be happy for Rashford to stay: "Of course because this kind of club needs big talents and he is a big talent. He just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus."

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on whether he has spoken to Marcus Rashford since the statement: "Not yet. It was yesterday, it was a day off. He is our player and he is ready for the next game."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says he would be happy for Marcus Rashford to remain at the club.

Rashford has said he is "ready for a new challenge" after being left out of Sunday's victory at Manchester City.

Amorim said he will decide after training today whether Rashford is part of his squad for tomorrow's EFL Cup quarter-final at Tottenham.

However, he is not pushing the 27-year-old out of the door.

"I don't talk about the future we talk about the present," he said.

"We are better with Marcus Rashford. This kind of club needs big talents – and he is a big talent."

Alejandro Garnacho was also left out of the Manchester City game. Amorim says the Argentine and Rashford must impress.

"We have one more training session and they are in the same situation as the other players," he said. "If they train well we have to make a choice."

On Rashford's comments about needing a new challenge, Amorim said: "He is right. We have here a new challenge, the biggest in football, we are in a difficult situation. I hope all my players are ready."

Manchester United

We are about to hear from Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim. Stay tuned for updates.

BBC World Service

Image source, Getty Images

Henry Winter has been speaking to the BBC's World Service this morning after his interview with Marcus Rashford made the headlines. The football writer says while everyone is moving in the same direction at Manchester United, Rashford is "moving towards the exit door".

He added: "He was very keen to emphasise his respect for Manchester United and he didn't want to leave with the door hanging off its hinges, almost like certain other players in the past that have left United.

"There's a lot of respect there. There's going to be a parting of the ways and I hope he gets a good send-off because he's done a lot for United."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

It is being suggested to me by sources close to Marcus Rashford that he is in an emotional frame of mind, as far as his Manchester United career is concerned, has no desire to leave Old Trafford and, in an ideal world, would return to Ruben Amorim's starting line-up, stay there and move on.

However, Rashford is a realist.

He watched Sunday's victory at Manchester City in front of a TV at home.

Amorim might have massaged the situation by saying this was a new week, but Rashford and the people closest to him have been around long enough to know new bosses can make a big impact by leaving out a big name - and the big name tends to be someone who is not pivotal to their plans.

A January move is not straightforward. Paris St-Germain are the club most linked with Rashford. They are also the club to distance themselves from a transfer most often.

Aside from Casemiro, Rashford is United's highest earner and not many clubs in the world could match his wages.

At 27 years old, and theoretically in the prime stage of his career, Rashford might be someone of major interest to the Saudi Pro League - but would that appeal to Rashford? Some who know the player suggest not.

Image source, Getty Images

H1ghBerry on X: PSG have been sniffing around Rashford for years - Saudi Arabia definitely isn't his "only option", he's 27. Swap deal for Kolo Muani?

Manchester United

Just for reference after Stuart's message.

In July 2023, Marcus Rashford signed a new deal to stay at Manchester United until 2028 worth £325,000 a week.

The striker had just enjoyed a resurgence under new manager Erik ten Hag, scoring 30 goals in 56 games and was 25 when he signed the deal.

England

Image source, Reuters

Could a fresh challenge away from Old Trafford also boost Marcus Rashford's chances of kickstarting his England career?

He has scored 17 goals in 60 appearances for the national side since his senior debut in a friendly against Australia in 2016. He actually scored in the win at the Stadium of the Light, making history by becoming the youngest player to score on his England debut at 18 years and 208 days.

Fast forward a few years and a couple of a disappointments, Rashford was on the plane for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and scored three goals during group stage - his second against Wales was England's 100th goal in all World Cups.

In his interview with Henry Winter he stressed that the prospect of an England return under new manager Thomas Tuchel "still excites" him after being excluded from Gareth Southgate's squad for this summer's European Championship in Germany.

I wonder what Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim will be asked later?

We've a few news conferences coming up today ahead of the EFL Cup quarter-finals:

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is also speaking ahead of his side's Conference League game against Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.

• Manchester United/ Amorim: 09:30 GMT
• Tottenham/ Ange Postecoglou & Chelsea/ Enzo Maresca: 13:00 GMT

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

Ruben Amorim is holding an early pre-match press conference this morning due to Manchester United travelling to London this afternoon ahead of tomorrow's EFL Cup quarter-final with Tottenham.

It is fair to assume he will be answering more questions about the future of Marcus Rashford in light of the striker's comments to Henry Winter yesterday.

I am guessing Amorim will also be asked to explain the issues he has seen around Rashford, given the United head coach spoke about interaction with other players and training performances as he explained why the 27-year-old and Alejandro Garnacho had been left out of the Manchester derby.

As one of United's highest earners, it is not completely clear how many clubs would be able to afford Rashford.

Amorim's answers will be available from 0930 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

And then there are the critics.

Rashford's professionalism was questioned by former United captain Gary Neville after he flew to the United States during the recent international break and was pictured attending an NBA game in New York.

Speaking further about his situation, Rashford who says he feels "misunderstood" added: "It's disheartening to be left out of a derby, but it's happened, we won the game so let's move on.

"It's disappointing, but I'm also someone as I've got older, I can deal with setbacks. What am I going to do about it? Sit there and cry about it? Or do my best the next time I'm available."