Marcus Rashford could well have played his final game for Manchester United after boss Ruben Amorim left him out of the squad AGAIN for their clash with Bournemouth.
Rashford, 27, wasn't spotted entering Old Trafford alongside the rest of his team-mates ahead of the Red Devils' starting XI and bench being confirmed at 1pm. The United forward revealed this week that he's 'ready for a new challenge' away from his boyhood club, where he's spent nine seasons in the first-team.
Red Devils manager Amorim told Sky Sports regarding Rashford, who around at United's ground in time for kick-off: "It is my decision, and it always will be. I want to see the best of my players, and I try different things with different players, so that is my focus."
Having been omitted from Amorim's squad for last Sunday's Manchester derby, Rashford gave an interview to Henry Winter on Wednesday when visiting his old primary school, Button Lane. "For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," he declared.
"When I leave it's going to be 'no hard feelings'. You're not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That's me as a person.
"If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse. 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 will be from me."
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Now set to leave in the January transfer window, it looks like Rashford's time at Old Trafford is coming to an end after 20 years associated with the club. A total of 21 players arrived just under two hours before the 2pm kick-off, with veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton the one who missed out on being included on their 20-man matchday squad.
Injured defender Victor Lindelof dropped out of the squad, with 20-year-old midfielder Toby Collyer taking his place. Lindelof came off at half-time during Thursday's 4-3 defeat at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.
Joshua Zirkzee once again got the nod up front following his goal against Spurs while Harry Maguire was recalled to the starting XI. Tyrell Malacia also started a Premier League match at Old Trafford for the first time since May 2023.
Matthijs de Ligt missed the Tottenham defeat through illness and remains sidelined. Andre Onana returned in goal following a string of mistakes from his understudy, Altay Bayindir, on Thursday.
Man Utd starting XI vs Bournemouth: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez; Dalot, Mainoo, Ugarte, Malacia; Amad, Fernandes; Zirkzee
Substitutes: Bayindir, Yoro, Evans, Casemiro, Collyer, Eriksen, Antony, Garnacho, Hojlund
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