‘Ready for new challenge’: Marcus Rashford nears Manchester United exit

Marcus Rashford has opened the door to a Manchester United exit by declaring he is “ready for a new challenge and the next steps” away from Old Trafford.

The England forward was axed from United’s squad for the 2-1 derby win at Manchester City on Sunday, with the head coach Ruben Amorim admitting he was unhappy with what he had seen from the England striker on and off the pitch.

In an interview with football writer Henry Winter published on X, Rashford 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.”

Rashford is thought to be up for sale and could leave in the January transfer window, but denied any hard feelings about his position. “If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse,” he added. “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.”

The 27-year-old added that it was “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.”

• This story will be updated