Manchester United

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Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford says he is "ready for a new challenge" after being asked about his future at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old was dropped from the squad for Sunday's derby against Manchester City, but new head coach Ruben Amorim confirmed that there were no disciplinary issues behind his decision.

In an interview with football writer Henry Winter, published on X, Rashford said: "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 will make a statement, and it will be from me. When I leave, it is going to be 'no hard feelings'. You are not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United - that's me as a person.

"I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps."

Rashford, who says he feels "misunderstood", added: "It is disheartening to be left out of a derby, but it has happened. We won the game, so let's move on.

"It is 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?"

Rashford made his debut in 2016, having come through the academy, and has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the club.

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We asked for one thing - good or bad - that no-one is talking about regarding Manchester United right now.

Here are some of your comments:

Jonty: Harry Maguire - what a guy. Stripped of the captaincy, basically ushered out of the club and he decided to stay, only say positive things publicly, and fight for his place. He has been really good when he has played and had Erling Haaland in his back pocket all game on Sunday.

Karen: The drastic, welcome reduction in players out injured isn't being talked about enough. In just over a month, Ruben Amorim and his team have improved this area so much that we currently have only two players out (Luke Shaw and Mason Mount) right now, as far as I'm aware. It's no coincidence that he has used every sub option available to him, and been very careful with the players returning to manage their minutes. That's why he could make the changes needed in the past two games to come from behind - our bench is so much stronger now.

Guy: Noussair Mazraoui. He has been quietly consistent and brought a degree of quality to an underperforming team. On the other hand, I think Bruno Fernandes is still a problem. As an individual, he is our best player - but for our system, it doesn't work. Maybe Amorim can find a way to make him more disciplined in his role.

Edward: Until the striker position is filled with somebody who can shield the ball, control it, and pass it to supporting players, United are not going to get any success. Clearly Rasmus Hojlund cannot do any of those things. He is willing, but ill-equipped to do so.

Brian: No-one is talking about the Glazer family. £1bn Ineos bailout and still the club seems to be on the rim of FFP abyss.

Paul: How good is Manuel Ugarte? Does the dirty work with little or no fuss. Massively underrated.

Mike: United have been playing without a natural left-back for several months, and I think Diogo Dalot's adaptation to that role has gone under the radar. He's been playing out of position, on the left instead of his natural right side, which is far more challenging than many realise.

KC: I don't think there is enough attention being given to Andre Onana and his dramatically improved play since his arrival. He look like he has truly bought in to the culture and the badge.

Atletico Madrid are considering a January move for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

United could fight RB Leipzig to sign 26-year-old Paris St-Germain and France forward Randal Kolo Muani on loan in January. (Football Insider), external

are in advanced negotiations to renew the contract of forward Amad Diallo, whose current deal expires next summer. (ESPN), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

After Amad Diallo became the catalyst for Manchester United's comeback derby win over their city rivals on Sunday, The Devils' Advocate podcast team have been praising the winger's attitude and arguing he now deserves to start every game when he is available.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho has won the Fifa Puskas Award for his acrobatic bicycle kick against Everton in November 2023.

The award recognises the best finish in world football during the year.

Garnacho converted Diogo Dalot's cross with a stunning overhead kick which beat Jordan Pickford in the 3-0 win at Goodison Park.

He is only the second Manchester United player to win the award, after Cristiano Ronaldo.

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The final meeting of 2024 with the Old Trafford regeneration task force has taken place, with more information likely to be confirmed in the summer of 2025.

Chaired by Lord Sebastian Coe, the meeting explored the regeneration of Manchester United's stadium.

"This has been a multi-stakeholder process that has collected views from over 50,000 fans, plus residents, community members and businesses," Coe said. "Today we discussed the outcome of this work in the form of an options report with Manchester United, Trafford Borough Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to help inform their decision-making process.

"At every stage we have challenged all involved to recognise the opportunity that sport presents as a powerful driver for transformational urban regeneration and that is reflected in the report. Manchester United will now work together with local authorities to review the findings and agree a path forward in the months ahead."

Seven games in and new manager Ruben Amorim is starting to get to grips with life at Manchester United.

A statement win at Manchester City has done his stock no harm either.

Much has been written about his tactics, team selection and methods for dealing with discipline, so we are diving in closer.

Tell us, what is the one thing - good or bad - that no-one is talking about regarding United right now?

Have your say - and come back on Wednesday for a selection of replies

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Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte says winning league titles is the team's "objective" under new boss Ruben Amorim and believes they have the qualities needed to do so.

After a late turnaround against Manchester City secured a rare derby victory at the Etihad and saw them avoid a third successive Premier League defeat on Sunday, there is now a positive mood around the team.

Despite still sitting in the bottom half of the table, summer signing Ugarte believes they are making progress to achieve their targets under the new head coach.

"There's a good feeling in the dressing room," the Uruguay international said. "It's a new project with a new coach and it's very important for us to know what he wants.

"But it's obvious that United need to be fighting for titles and playing in the Champions League and not be where we are.

"That's our objective but we have to get there step-by-step, little-by little, game-by-game.

"Without doubt [we have the quality]. You saw on Sunday what this team can do. We have confidence but also humility. We are United."

Ugarte struggled to make a mark under Ten Hag following his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain, but the 23-year-old has become a regular after reuniting with his former Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim.

Asked whether the 2-1 win against City was his best game for the club, he said: "I think so.

"It was a beautiful game and when you consider who it was against, I am happy with how it went. We were confident before the game, optimistic.

"But I just think forward and to the next game on Thursday."

Alex Turk
Fan writer

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Ruben Amorim inherited a mountain of problems in his Manchester United in-tray. Improving the club's sorry slump in away trips to rival clubs was near the summit.

United battled commendably at Arsenal, only to be undone by two set-piece goals, spoon-feeding Amorim his first defeat as head coach.

While there were positives to take from Emirates Stadium, the result extended the Red Devils' winless run in 'big six' away games to 15, drawing four and losing 11.

Ignominious - an 11-letter word fitting of the situation. United scored just 16 goals in that period and conceded 45, only keeping one clean sheet.

But is that a change in the tides, I sense? A promising breeze blowing from Portuguese shores metamorphosed into a tsunami in the 195th Manchester derby.

Amorim guided United to an all-time great triumph over Manchester City - trailing in the 87th minute and leading 115 seconds later.

It was not an attractive affair. But was that to be expected when a team with one win in 10 matches hosted a side on the brink of a third successive league defeat?

A United victory was not expected either. Yet, it was deserved. Amorim got his tactics spot on, limiting City's all-star midfield and attack to just three shots on goal over almost 100 minutes.

With a trip to Tottenham creeping over the horizon, the Portuguese tactician has the opportunity to turn a landmark win into a serious statement.

Amorim will spark hope that he has already ticked off a paramount item on his early to-do list if he turns a 15-match winless streak into back-to-back successes on the road.

While the Harry Maguire renaissance rolls on in defence, Manuel Ugarte continues to master the midfield, and Amad Diallo remains unplayable in attack, United have every chance of doing just that.

Find more from Alex Turk at Stretford Paddock, external

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Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club about Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho after the pair were omitted from Ruben Amorim's Manchester United squad for Sunday's derby win.

Sutton said: "These are two really talented players who would normally get into any squad in the country. At the very least they should have been on the bench, but something fundamentally has gone wrong for him to leave them out as he did.

"Ruben Amorim has gone in at Manchester United and, in the short term, he has to win games. How does he want to go about it? He wants to have all of his best players onside and available. Do you think he would want to leave his most talented players out? There's no doubt about their talents, so something is amiss there - hence why he left them out.

"We don't know what they've done. We don't know what kind of standards Amorim has demanded. But what I do know, having played the game, it must have been something pretty significant and it's a short, sharp shock. It must have been significant enough to leave them out of a huge derby game after losing their last two Premier League games. He has the right to do that.

"We all know that there are parameters as players, so it must have been an attitude thing. It must be something significant for a manager to make that call on two significant and talented players."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Manchester United have put forward Marcus Rashford up for sale and would approve a cut-price move in January. (Guardian), external

Meanwhile, United are scouting 17-year-old Olympiakos striker Charalampos Kostoulas. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Ruben Amorim has had seven games in charge of Manchester United and, from the number of line-up changes he has made in that time, is clearly still in the process of working out his preferred starting XI from the 25 senior players available to him.

In the Premier League, he averages 3.8 line-up changes per match - 19 in total - across the five matches he has been in charge for.

Before this weekend's round of games, no other manager to have taken charge of two games or more in the top flight this season had averaged more than 2.9 line-up changes from match to match.

Amorim has also used the maximum five substitutions available to him in all his league games.

That level of change is demonstrated with United's defensive line-ups - they have had a different centre-back duo/trio in all five of their Premier League games under Amorim.

A new episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast has just been released.

The team are in positive mood as they chat United's Manchester derby win and preview Thursday's big cup tie at Tottenham

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United central defender Harry Maguire had an excellent game in the win against Manchester City on Sunday.

After rejecting the chance to leave Old Trafford at the start of last season, when United accepted a bid from West Ham, Maguire got his place back under Erik ten Hag.

When Ruben Amorim replaced the Dutchman last month, it didn't seem as though Maguire would be a natural fit in a three-man defence that also contained a similar style of player in Matthijs de Ligt.

But the pair both started against City and when Amorim decided to introduce Leny Yoro with 11 minutes left, De Ligt was the man replaced.

Maguire's current contract expires in the summer, although United do have the option to extend by an additional season.

"My contract is not something I had thought too much about but all the signs are positive at the moment and the chat that I'm having is really positive," he said.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim cut a frustrated and animated figure for 88 minutes of Sunday's derby against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.

On the hour mark he was in an arm-waving fury, urging United forward then shaking his head vigorously as possession was conceded cheaply once more.

And then, in those two remarkable minutes at the end, Amorim was transported from what looked like a routine defeat in a dismal game to the dreamland of a derby win at the home of their arch-rivals and reigning Premier League champions.

Amorim took the bold decision to axe Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from his matchday squad and was rewarded with a landmark victory that will instantly send his stock soaring among United's fans.

He also showed a sure touch when pressed on their absence, talking about his "evaluation" when selecting his squad, while also adding pointedly: "When people in our club are losing their jobs, we have to put the standards really high."

Sunday was his finest day since arriving at Manchester United. Results have been mixed but Amorim has been very impressive as a new frontman for a club that has been somewhat chaotic.

Amorim has also proved he will not be shying away from the big calls.

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Dropped Manchester United players should "reflect" on the performance of Amad Diallo, says The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell.

United boss Ruben Amorim had taken the brave decision to drop both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the matchday squad against Manchester City.

In what some are dubbing the 'Diallo derby', the 22-year-old winger stepped up and had the crucial impact.

"He [Amorim] had left Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of the squad entirely, He said afterwards that the result wasn't important in the bearing of that decision, but I do feel the result gives the players the belief that: 'Yeah, we need to understand what this guy is asking for and follow it and we can actually win at places like Manchester City,," Whitwell told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"But, overall, the result does hinge a lot on Amad's performance - a brilliant individual display in those closing minutes. He had done well prior to that in the running in behind and showing real aggression off the ball. That is probably something for those players who want to be in that position to reflect on.

"Amorim wants his players to be aggressive, to run hard and to go above and beyond, and Amad showed that in the game, for sure.

"It was a really emotionally intelligent response to everything [by Amorim]. It will be fascinating to see how both of them respond - and how Amorim responds too."

Listen back on BBC Sounds

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It is "almost criminal" that Amad Diallo is only now getting the chance to shine and there is still a "bumpy ride" ahead for supporters under Ruben Amorim, says Manchester United fan Kim Burdett.

In a Manchester derby lacking quality, 22-year-old Diallo proved to be the difference-maker for United after winning the penalty that brought the equaliser and then scoring just a minute later to give his side bragging rights over their city rivals.

"The turnaround [in the game], I don't have enough words for Amad," Burdett told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"He is just absolutely phenomenal and how he did not get more game time under [Erik] Ten Hag is almost criminal really when you see what he is capable of.

"We are very lucky to have him."

United had looked set for a third successive Premier League defeat before the late turnaround, adding a crucial win to Amorim's mixed start as manager.

"We have not had a perfect start under Amorim but we knew that was going to be the case because he has not got the players at his disposal that he really wants in order to make his system work," Burdett added.

"We know it is going to be a bit of a bumpy ride for a little while until he gets everything in place. The good thing, as a United fan, now - having had Ten Hag for a couple of years when the players are looking lost and confused and don't know what they are doing - is at least now we have an idea of what to expect.

"Players have more of an idea of what they are supposed to be doing and there is a plan, which we have been missing for so long."

Listen back on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League derby between Manchester City and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

City fans:

Brian: Manchester City have no excuses. Losing is now a habit. The will to win must include a will to defend a lead. Great 85 minutes that was a reflection of some of the old City but then they revert to type and collapse. If they can play and lead for 85 minutes then they must reflect seriously on who is letting the team and the fans down in the final five plus additional time. Serious concerns about character. Is it now too easy to make excuses rather than stop the rot?

Andy: Other than the goal, from a deflected cross, when else did we look like scoring? A worrying lack of creativity at the moment. Not scoring the second goal leaves you open to what happened at the end.

Pat: Ignoring the disasters for the penalty and their second goal, we were still terrible. Yes we were easily the better team and it looked like only one team could possibly win but it simply wasn't good enough. We not only lack structure and control but we also lack imagination and creativity. However, worst of all our decision making is so poor. We look like a side struggling to stay in the division not one fighting for the title.

David: Another big game and Haaland again does not score. January transfer window we need a new keeper, striker and some new younger defenders. We should never have let Palmer and Alvarez go. This is the end of our golden era.

United fans:

Amit: A victory to really get the squad behind the new manager's system and tactics. Amad plays with a smile on his face and has dragged United back against one of our big rivals, again!

Clive: Possibly the most boring, uninspring United performance of the season - for 86 minutes. Then - two minutes of Amad magic and back to boring. OK - we won, but what did we beat? A dispirited City rabble. Just not good enough United - you were lucky.

Michelle: United didn't play well at all but found a way to win. Amad was brilliant and deserves all the credit. He pressed, looked energetic and played like a 'proper' Manchester United. A great day for all United fans.

Mark: A poor display from two sides struggling for consistency but we'll take the three points and run. Amad was literally the difference and an example to some other players in the squad about what it takes to be successful at United and not rest on your laurels. City will bounce back, they have too much quality not to. Important cup games coming for us - we will see what's left of our season after those, but I think the result will be a good boost.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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With a midweek EFL Cup trip to Tottenham, the usual Christmas rush of fixtures and a January that includes two Europa League games and a midweek Premier League game - and maybe a two-legged League Cup semi-final as well - Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho's Manchester United exile is unlikely to last too long.

However, United head coach Ruben Amorim has made his point - and come up with the biggest win of his short reign in charge.

He has clearly set a standard he wants to see matched by his players and feels Rashford and Garnacho are falling short.

By his words alone, the pair have a chance to redeem themselves. But, after years of players seemingly becoming untouchable as a succession of managers come and go, Amorim has quickly made his presence felt.

The answer lies with Rashford and Garnacho. If they don't respond positively, don't expect them to be hanging around too long.

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Marcus Rashford's omission from the Manchester United squad, is "almost like a last resort" from Ruben Amorim to re-ignite the fire within him says The Telgraph's Luke Edwards.

Amorim took two big decisions to ditch Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from his squad completely, citing a lack of discipline, or at least slipped standards.

Before the match, he told the media: "For me it's important; the performance in training, the performance in games, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with your team-mates, the way you push your team-mates."

So although both players trained at Carrington Sunday morning, neither made the short trip to the Etihad in the matchday squad.

"It is just a different manager trying a different tactic to try and get a tune out of Rashford," said Edwards on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "I think he's been lost for a long time now. There are concerns about his lifestyle and whether he is as focused on football as he should be.

"United were very keen to try and sell him in the summer, but I think it is sad that we have lost him as a player.

"Maybe this is Amorim's way of trying to do something, almost like a last resort because it is pretty desperate. I really hope Rashford can turn it around because I don't like anyone thinking at 27-years-old that their career at the highest level is over.

"But at the moment, the best thing he can probably do is to move clubs and have a fresh start somewhere else. He needs to close the book on his United chapter and try and re-ignite himself."

Ex-Premier League striker Clinton Morrison added: "Of course Amorim is sending a message to him. You have to train how you play, so I think his decision [to leave him out] was spot on.

"If you are not training well enough and you have downed tools, then it is disrespectful. You always train like it is your last training session."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

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"In terms of quality on the ball, it was one of the worst Manchester derbies I have seen," said former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast.

"United were creating a few chances, but the difference was Amad Diallo. He was the bright spark in the game."

Diallo, 22, won the penalty to equalise in the 88th minute, before then pouncing in the closing seconds of normal time to score from a tight angle and give United a derby-day win.

"A poor game, but a big result for United and Ruben Amorim," Morrison added.

"I really like Amorim's enthusiasm, but I don't think he knows his best 11 yet. Not involving Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were big calls too.

"He will get it right and the fans know it will take a bit of time, but if you win your first Manchester derby that can help you go all the way at the club."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds