Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is apparently under no pressure to select Marcus Rashford after the forward's bombshell interview.
The 27-year-old has been left out of the Red Devils' last three matchday squads against Manchester City, Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur, with Amorim insisting on all three occasions that his choice was simply down to "selection".
It is believed that the new Red Devils boss has not been impressed with Rashford's application in training, but the saga took an unexpected twist earlier this month when Rashford admitted that he was seeking a "new challenge" elsewhere.
Amorim has publicly questioned the "choices" of Rashford's camp following his bombshell revelation to journalist Henry Winter, and the forward could try to engineer an exit from the club as early as January.
There are fears that Rashford's exile could negatively affect his value and thus weaken Man United's position in negotiations, but according to ESPN, Amorim is not being pressured by the powers-that-be to select the Englishman.
Amorim 'allowed to deal with Rashford situation internally'
© Imago
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and technical director Jason Wilcox are apparently happy for Amorim to deal with the situation as he sees fit, meaning that Rashford's ostracisation is unlikely to end any time soon.
The England international shone during Erik ten Hag's debut campaign in 2022-23 with 30 goals in all competitions, but he regressed significantly last term, only finding the back of the net eight times.
Rashford has already reached double figures in terms of goal involvements this season - seven of his own and three assists - but he only has four goals next to his name in the Premier League.
Man United are expected to open the floor to realistic loan or permanent offers in the January transfer window, but Rashford has supposedly been warned that an exit halfway through the season is not a guarantee.
The 27-year-old penned a new long-term contract with Man United in the summer of 2023, which still has another three-and-a-half years left to run, and he is said to be earning an astronomical £325,000 a week at Old Trafford.
Where could Rashford go in January?
© Imago
Man United would do well to find another European club prepared to meet Rashford's staggering wage demands, and if he is not willing to accept a pay cut, the Red Devils might have to fork out a portion of his salary while he is on loan elsewhere.
Either way, Rashford is unlikely to be handed a Premier League lifeline, as Man United have apparently decided that they are not prepared to let him join a direct rival amid links with Arsenal and Chelsea.
A trio of clubs in the Saudi Pro League have apparently been alerted to the situation, and the Middle Eastern giants would have no trouble paying Rashford his weekly £325,000 salary, but it remains to be seen whether the forward is open to moving to Saudi Arabia.
Barcelona were heavily linked with the England international in the past, but the Blaugrana are reported to have set their sights on a different Man United attacker instead.
Ben Knapton
