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Amorim issues first response to Rashford wanting to leave Man Utd

Ruben Amorim has told Marcus Rashford that his desired "new challenge" is ready for him at Manchester United.

Rashford was left out of the United squad for Sunday's Manchester derby victory over Man City, with manager Amorim confirming at the time that the decision was not down to injury or discipline.

Two days later, Rashford admitted he is ready to leave United and take on a "new challenge".

He 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'. You're not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That's me as a person.

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"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."

The interview, held during a visit to Rashford's former primary school, reportedly came as a surprise to United.

Addressing Rashford's remarks on Wednesday, ahead of Thursday's Carabao Cup quarter-final with Tottenham, Amorim feels his striker can get the challenge he needs by sticking with United.

"I think it’s right," Amorim said when asked about Rashford's reference to a new challenge. "We have here a new challenge. It’s a tough one, for me it’s the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation and I already said this is one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"This is a really new challenge and the biggest one. I really hope all my players are ready for this new challenge.

This club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level

Ruben Amorim on Marcus Rashford

"No, [I haven't spoken to Rashford] yet. It was yesterday, I gave the day off to the lads, so he’s our player and he’s ready for the next game.

"I spoke with a lot of players individually and during training. What I want is to take the best stuff of Marcus Rashford as the player so I don’t talk about the future, I just talk about the present.

"I want the best of each one of them and that is the key point for me. I just want to win and to help the team be better. We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past. And that’s all.

"Of course (I would be happy to keep him), because this kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent. So he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus."

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