Marcus Rashford has confirmed he is prepared to leave Manchester United, the club he joined at the age of seven, amid reports that the club is looking to sell him ahead of the January transfer window.
The England international, now 27, was notably absent from United’s squad in their victory against arch-rivals Manchester City on Sunday. New manager Ruben Amorim made the decision to omit Rashford, citing the forward’s recent performances.
Earlier this month, speculation arose that United were ready to cash in on the academy graduate, and in a recent interview with The Times’ Henry Winter, Rashford revealed his desire for a fresh challenge. Speaking from his former primary school, where he handed out 420 gifts to children, 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. I’m not someone who speaks negatively about Manchester United. That’s just not who I am.”
He also reflected on his approach to departing the club: “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’ll come directly from me.”
Despite his readiness to move on, Rashford reaffirmed his loyalty to United, saying, “I’ll always be a Red. 100 percent.”
When asked about being left out of the Manchester derby, Rashford admitted it was a tough pill to swallow but remained pragmatic: “It’s disheartening to be left out of a derby, but we won the game, so let’s move on. I’ve learned to deal with setbacks as I’ve grown older. There’s no point in sitting around feeling sorry for myself—I’ll just focus on doing better when I’m available.”
Looking ahead, Rashford expressed excitement about representing England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. “I’m halfway through my career. I don’t think I’ve hit my peak yet. The World Cup still excites me—it’s the biggest competition in the world, and I’ve been lucky to experience it twice. If I get the opportunity again, I’ll grab it with both hands.”
Reflecting on his nine years in the Premier League, Rashford said the journey had been invaluable. “I’ve learned so much as a player and as a person. I don’t have any regrets from the past nine years, and I won’t have regrets moving forward. I take life day by day, and I try to maintain a fine balance through the highs and lows.”