As the Manchester United bus headed to Molineux for the Boxing Day match, one name noticeably absent was that of Marcus Rashford, who once again found himself left out of the squad by manager Ruben Amorim . This marks the fourth consecutive game Rashford has watched from the bench, and whispers are growing louder that the academy product may have played his final game for the club.
During a recent interview with journalist Henry Winter, Rashford expressed his desire for a “new challenge” amid the uncertainty surrounding his future, insinuating that January could offer him a potential way out.
Despite Rashford’s hopes of finding a way back into Amorim’s plans, actions often speak louder than words. Young sensation Alejandro Garnacho has been reinstated into the squad, with Amorim touting his impressive performances in training, while Rashford remains on the sidelines. Therefore, discussions regarding a possible departure during the January transfer window have intensified.
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The frustration among United supporters is palpable; They’ve had enough of the Rashford-related headlines and it seems everyone’s interest lies in finding him a new club, whether that leads to a permanent transfer or a loan deal that includes an option to buy.
The inevitability of Rashford’s departure brings a deep sense of melancholy. A product of United’s famous academy, Rashford has made 426 appearances for the club since his debut as a teenager, showcasing immense talent and promise.
His last appearance was in a match against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, where he was substituted in the second half. If this turns out to be his final outing with the Red Devils, it would sadly lack a proper farewell from the supporters who have seen him develop over the years into a fan favorite.
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Critics might argue that Rashford allowed this unsatisfactory conclusion to unfold, and while there is some truth to that assessment, it is undeniably disheartening to see a player who has contributed so much, albeit with expectations even bigger ones, potentially going out the back door.
With the January transfer window set to open on Wednesday, United face Newcastle in their final match of 2024 on Monday. While Rashford’s absence from the Wolves game isn’t particularly newsworthy, missing the upcoming clash against the Magpies would be a decisive blow to his future.
Additionally, Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte will miss the match due to suspension, while Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof are recovering. This means Amorim have a few places to fill in the squad for the visit of Newcastle.
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Against Wolves, Amorim opted for Toby Collyer on the bench, and if he turns to two other young players or chooses a third goalkeeper, Tom Heaton, while continuing to drop Rashford for the Newcastle match, it will signal the end history for the striker at United.
If Rashford is sidelined in favor of young talent or a back-up goalkeeper, it would unambiguously illustrate the depth of Amorim’s frustration with him.
At this stage it seems more likely that Rashford won’t make the squad for Monday night than he will, but as we know, football is full of surprises, and another twist in this story could well be on the horizon.
As kick-off approaches, all eyes will be on the United players heading towards the stadium. Will Rashford be among them?
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