“A new challenge could be exactly what he needs.”
Roy Keane has said that Marcus Rashford should consider leaving Manchester United after being omitted from the squad for the 2-1 victory over Manchester City.
Man United manager Ruben Amorim left Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of the 20-man squad for the Manchester derby.
Man United didn’t miss the pair, with Amad Diallo starring in their absence. He won a penalty that Bruno Fernandes dispatched before scoring a late winner.
Amorim said his decision to leave Rashford and Garnacho out of the squad was part of a wider ‘evaluation’ of the players.
“We try to evaluate everything – training, performance, game performance, engagement with teammates, pushing the group forward,” Amorim said.
“Everything is on the line when we make our choices. This was simply my selection.
“There’s no message or agenda, just an evaluation, and the players understand my decision.”
Keane worked on the Manchester derby as a pundit for Sky Sports and backed Amorim’s decision.
The former Man United captain said that the time has probably come for Rashford to leave the club and seek a new challenge.
“To leave him out of the squad completely is a huge decision, but not a massive surprise for those who’ve watched United recently,” Keane said.
“Both Rashford and Garnacho have been underperforming. It’s a clear marker from the manager.
“When you’re at a big club like United and your attitude isn’t right – and Rashford’s hasn’t been – sometimes it’s best to move on.
“A new challenge could be exactly what he needs.”
Keane’s comments add to growing speculation over Rashford’s long-term future at the club.
Last week, there were reports that Man United would be prepared to let the England forward leave Old Trafford, and value him at around £40m.
Rashford, 27, signed a five-year contract with the Red Devils in 2023 worth a reported £325,000 a week.
In the season before signing the deal, he scored 30 goals in 56 games. Since signing the contract, however, Rashford has scored just 15 goals in 67 games.
On Sky Sports following Sunday’s game, Micah Richards tried to defend Rashford’s poor form, saying that the player is under pressure.
Gary Neville and Keane, however, dismantled Richards’ largely flimsy argument.
