Marcus Rashford has confirmed he is ready for a new challenge away from Manchester United after being excluded from Ruben Amorim's squad in Sunday's derby win. United have reportedly put the 27-year-old forward up for sale after failing to impress Amorim during the first month of his reign at Old Trafford.
Rashford was a shock absentee at the Etihad Stadium for the visitors' incredible late comeback against Manchester City.
Amorim is believed to have shunned the United No. 10 and Alejandro Garnacho due to their form in matches and training.
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However, further reports claim that the Red Devils head coach has been particularly disappointed by Rashford's application and demeanour.
And it's claimed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to fully support Amorim by sanctioning a sale as early as January, the latest blockbuster decision in Ineos' intense cultural reboot.
Rashford spent his day off at a long-planned event at his old primary school, Button Lane in south Manchester, and gifted 420 Christmas presents to all the pupils.
And in an interview with journalist Henry Winter, the United academy graduate revealed he had plans to walk away from his boyhood club.
"For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," Rashford explained.
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"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. Yes [I'll always be a Red]! 100 per cent. 100 per cent."
Rashford's relationship with supporters has long been strained after multiple off-pitch incidents throughout Erik ten Hag's tenure.
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He followed up a career-best 30-goal 2022/23 season by netting just seven times in all competitions last term.
Rashford has already notched eight in the current campaign, but starts have been hard to come by at the dawn of the Amorim era, and the writing is now on the wall.
The England international also broke his silence on being left out for Sunday's derby, insisting he's ready to battle back from the disappointment.
He said: "It's disheartening to be left out of a derby, but it's happened, we won the game, so let's move on.
"It's disappointing, but I'm also someone, as I've got older, I can deal with setbacks. What am I going to do about it? Sit there and cry about it. Or do my best the next time I'm available."
Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for United since bursting onto the scene as a spirited teenager in 2016.
And he believes some of the narratives about his attitude and lifestyle away from football are far from the truth.
"I do feel misunderstood, but I'm fine with it. I'm a very simple person. I love football. That's been my life from the beginning," Rashford added.
He continued: "I'm halfway through my career. I don't expect my peak to be now.
"I've had nine years so far in the Premier League, and that's taught me a lot that's helped me grow as a player and as a person. So, I don't have any regrets from the last nine years.
"I won't have any regrets going forward because I take things day by day, and sometimes bad things happen, but sometimes good things happen.
"I just try to keep a fine balance. 100 per cent [the best is yet to come]. That's my mentality."
