Marcus Rashford: Manchester United ‘better’ with striker, says Ruben Amorim

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim says the club are “better” with Marcus Rashford after the forward suggested he could leave Old Trafford.

The England international, 27, said on Tuesday that he was “ready for a new challenge and the next steps” in his career.

It came two days after Rashford was dropped for United’s derby win against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.

Rashford’s last Premier League start came in a 4-0 win against Everton on 1 December, when he scored twice.

Amorim suggested the club want the striker – who came through United’s youth ranks – to stay, saying: “I don’t talk about the future, we talk about the present.

“This kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.”

Asked about Rashford’s desire for a “new challenge”, Amorim said: “I think it’s right. We have here a new challenge, it’s a tough one.

“For me it’s the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation and I already said this is one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“I really hope all my players are ready for this new challenge.”

Amorim added the club will “try different things” to help Rashford find the “best levels he has shown in the past”.

“Nothing has changed – we believe in Marcus,” said Amorim.

“It’s hard to explain to you guys what I am going to do. I’m a little bit emotional so in the moment I will decide what to do.

“It’s a hard situation to comment [on]. If I give a lot of importance it will have big headlines in the papers and if I say it’s not a problem then my standards are getting low.”

Asked if he, when he was a player, would do an interview or speak privately, Amorim said: “If this was me probably I would speak with the manager.”