Roy Keane tells Marcus Rashford what he thinks of him after Man Utd transfer bombshell

Roy Keane has defended Marcus Rashford's decision to speak publicly on his Manchester United future, urging the out-of-favour forward to pursue a new challenge overseas. Rashford sparked shockwaves on Monday when he strongly suggested that his 20-year career at Old Trafford was coming to a close.

"For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," Rashford told journalist Henry Winter after being excluded from Sunday's derby win against Manchester City.

"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."

Ruben Amorim's decision to omit Rashford from the squad that sealed a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory at the Etihad Stadium may have been the final straw.

However, while the 27-year-old has drawn criticism for his decision to go public with his transfer plans, he has a supporter in Keane.

On Thursday's episode of The Overlap, the former United captain explained: "I don't actually mind what he said, although it's a bit long, but it's spot on.

"Sometimes a deal just works for everybody – it's been going on for a year or two now, there's obviously a bit of talent there, and he's been at the club since he was a kid.

"A change would probably do him a world of good, for him and his team and family to go abroad."

He later added: "My only warning for players like that – he [Marcus Rashford] has all those traits as a footballer.

"If you lose that hunger, it's hard to get it back. We know that for great players, it's nothing to do with money – it's about the next challenge and your pride.

"Marcus seems to have lost his way, and he's lost his hunger. We've mentioned watches and all the stuff off the field, and if he's a bit distracted by that, it might be hard to get it back.

"He might get it back with a change of club and scenery, but I don't think he'll get the hunger back at United."

Amid suggestions that Rashford could exit United in the January transfer window, it remains to be seen whether he will play for the club again as Amorim focuses on his long-term vision.

The Red Devils No. 10 won't feature in Thursday's Carabao Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur after he wasn't spotted with the travelling party.