Marcus Rashford is putting in extra training to maintain his fitness and regain the trust of Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim amid intense exit speculation. The 27-year-old hasn’t played for his boyhood club in over a month but could yet remain at Old Trafford beyond the January transfer deadline.
Rashford last featured in a United shirt in the 2-1 Europa League victory at Viktoria Plzen on December 12, missing nine consecutive games since.
He has been strongly linked with a loan exit this month, with AC Milan, AS Monaco, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund at the front of the queue.
However, with Milan reportedly bowing out of the frame in recent days, the likelihood of Rashford staying in Manchester has risen.
According to Mail Sport, the United No. 10 still wants to play for the club and has made himself available for selection should Amorim need him.
The Portuguese boss named him as a substitute for the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at the end of 2024 but didn’t call on his services.
Amorim suggested that the initial reason for Rashford’s exile was his performance and effort levels in training since he replaced Erik ten Hag in November.
However, the report adds that Rashford has been putting in the hard yards while out of the first-team picture with extra sessions with a private fitness coach.
It’s claimed he was training at Carrington on Sunday while his team-mates were preparing for the Premier League clash against Brighton and Hove Albion later in the day.
Rashford’s condition is said to have left him in contention to help out Amorim’s faltering team in Thursday’s mouth-watering Europa League meeting with Rangers.
The academy graduate reportedly has no issues with Amorim or his treatment and remains ready to offer 100 per cent to help the 39-year-old.
Rashford is still expected to depart in the next 10 days, given it is the outcome that both parties would prefer.
He publicly admitted he was “ready for a new challenge” a day after United’s 2-1 derby win over Manchester City last month.
And United want to offload Rashford’s £315,000-a-week salary from the wage bill amid their fight to comply with the Premier League‘s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Rashford reportedly rebuffed interest from Saudi Arabia due to his desire to remain in Europe for the best chance of restoring his status in the England squad.
His eye-watering wages pose a significant hurdle, though, and look to be the primary factor currently stalling exit plans.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk