Dumsha Wijesinghe JadeTimes Staff
W.G.S.D.Wijesinghe is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Sports News
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has raised concerns about the influence of individuals advising Marcus Rashford, as the forward faces a challenging period in his career.
Rashford, 27, sparked speculation about his future after declaring he was "ready for a new challenge" in an interview following his omission from the squad for United’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City on 15 December.
Since then, the England international has missed crucial matches, including the 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter final defeat to Tottenham and the 3-0 Premier League loss to Bournemouth. His absence has fueled rumors of a potential departure from Old Trafford during the January transfer window.
Having risen through United's youth academy, Rashford has been a key figure for the club, netting 138 goals in 426 appearances since his debut in 2016. Despite an impressive 30 goal season in 2022-23, the forward has struggled for consistency in three of the last four campaigns, attracting criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Addressing the situation, Amorim expressed his ability to separate Rashford's on-pitch contributions from the external influences shaping his decisions.
"My focus is on improving Marcus," Amorim stated. "We need a talented player like him. I've moved past the interview and am concentrating on what he delivers on the pitch."
The Portuguese coach emphasized the importance of the club handling Rashford’s future at the appropriate time, adding, "That’s a matter for us to address when necessary."
Ahead of Thursday’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Amorim dismissed claims that the situation had become a distraction, urging greater accountability from the club's senior players.
"Some players carry significant responsibility here because of their long association with the club," he noted. "For a player with Marcus’s talent, we need big performances, strong engagement, and leadership to help us through this tough period."
Manchester United currently find themselves in a difficult position, sitting 13th in the Premier League marking their lowest standing at this stage of the season since 1986, during the early months of Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure.
Reflecting on the club’s struggles, Amorim acknowledged the gravity of the situation but remained determined to implement gradual solutions.
"I know what I need to do," Amorim said. "This is a frustrating time, but we will address each challenge step by step and find the answers needed to move forward." United’s next matches include the fixture against Wolves on Thursday, followed by a home game against Newcastle on 30 December.
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