Marcus Rashford’s absence from the Manchester United squad continues to fuel speculation about his future at the club.
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The England international was left out of the lineup for the third game in a row, missing Sunday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth.
The 27-year-old forward was initially dropped for last weekend’s Manchester derby and was absent again during the Carabao Cup quarter-final loss to Tottenham.
This latest omission adds to mounting evidence that Rashford’s time at Old Trafford may be coming to an end.
Rashford recently hinted at a potential exit, stating, “I’m ready for a new challenge.” Despite this, manager Ruben Amorim has left the door open, insisting Rashford’s exclusion is solely his decision. “It’s my choice and always will be,” Amorim told Sky Sports.
“I’m focused on seeing the best of my players and trying different combinations.”
Club legend Gary Neville, however, believes a departure is inevitable. “Rashford being left out again isn’t surprising anymore,” Neville commented before the Bournemouth game.
“Three matches in a row – something has clearly gone wrong. It feels like we’re heading toward an inevitable end for both Marcus and Manchester United.”
Earlier in the week, Rashford spoke to journalist Henry Winter, expressing his desire for a clean departure. “When I leave, there will be no hard feelings.
I’ve seen how others have exited the club, and I won’t follow that path,” said the forward. “When the time comes, I’ll release a statement myself.”
Despite the uncertainty, Amorim maintains Rashford remains part of his plans. Following the Carabao Cup defeat, he stated, “He’s a United player, and everyone has a future here. He’ll train tomorrow and prepare for the next game.”
Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho, who was also dropped for the Manchester derby, has returned to the bench after appearing as a substitute against Tottenham. Amorim opted for a front three of Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, and Joshua Zirkzee for the Bournemouth match.
Manchester United has also confirmed setbacks for other key players. Matthijs de Ligt is sidelined with illness, while Mason Mount faces several weeks out with an injury.
Amorim explained his choices, saying, “We saved Harry [Maguire] after a full 90 minutes against City, and Josh [Zirkzee] performed well last game. Onana is back, and we’re prepared for this match.”
As Rashford’s absence stretches on, the narrative surrounding his exit only grows louder, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning what lies ahead for the star and the club.
