Marcus Rashford accepts he may have to stay at Manchester United for the rest of the season after failing to secure a move in the first three and a half weeks of the transfer window. Eleven full days of the window remain and the forward is intent on making himself available for as long as he is at the club.
Rashford has not played for United since 12 December and five days later said he was “ready for a new challenge” after Ruben Amorim left him out of the squad for the 2-1 win at Manchester City. Rashford has no issue with Amorim, who has said the England international was dropped for “training reasons”, and would be happy to play for United again.
On Wednesday, Rashford again trained with the squad and appeared content, joking with teammates as Amorim oversaw preparation for Rangers’ visit in the Europa League.
Rashford decided against a permanent transfer to Saudi Arabia, where several clubs were interested, and other options have been explored. A loan deal to Borussia Dortmund has stalled owing to the potential cost. United want Dortmund to pay a proportion of Rashford’s £365,000-a-week wage. Dortmund also have Jamie Gittens, who plays in Rashford’s preferred left-wing position.
A loan to Milan proved unworkable because they are signing Kyle Walker from Manchester City until the end of the season. Milan were only able recruit one British player in the window under a rule relating to Brexit. Barcelona reportedly retain an interest in the 27-year-old but their financial strictures make a deal particularly difficult and they would have to make sales first.
Rashford has been included in one squad since he was dropped – for United’s 2-0 defeat by Newcastle on 30 December, though he was an unused substitute.
