Ralf Rangnick denied Marcus Rashford has not had enough game-time under him, with Manchester United’s interim manager stating the forward is free to consider leaving in the summer if he wishes.
The 24-year-old is thinking about whether to depart because he is unhappy at his number of minutes since Rangnick took over in November. Rashford did not start Sunday’s 4-1 loss at Manchester City, which was the fourth consecutive league match he has been a substitute, though he was in the XI that drew at Atlético Madrid a fortnight ago. In all Rashford has made 10 starts and been a replacement four times under the German.
With Rashford having scored only five goals in 24 appearances this season, Rangnick was asked whether, as his recent lack of minutes is due to his poor form, it should be incumbent on the 24-year-old to show the manager what he can do. “I don’t think that he’s not had enough game time,” said the 63-year-old. “He’s had 13-14 games since I’ve been here now, he played more games from the start than he didn’t play from the start.
“I don’t think this is an issue and he never said anything about that since we spoke yesterday [Thursday]. But the [transfer] window is closed now. Even suppose he and his agents or his family at one stage of the summer think about maybe going to another club, well then he can do that but in the summer. Now the window is closed. It’s got nothing to do with tomorrow’s game [v Tottenham] or the game on Tuesday [Atletico Madrid].
“I spoke with him yesterday and the day before so I don’t know anything about him being unhappy. He didn’t say anything to me, he said to me that he is still happy and that he wants to perform on a high level for the club. There was no mention of him not being happy here.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from injury, the striker having flown to Portugal last weekend as he was not available for the City match. Rangnick was not aware the 37-year-old had done so.
“I didn’t know anything about that trip,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense now to waste energy and deal with it because the games we have to play now are too important. I decided to put my focus on the upcoming games and not waste any energy with things that happened in the last six or seven days.”
Asked if Ronaldo is happy at United, Rangnick said: “I haven’t asked him if he’s happy at Manchester, at this club, he’s fit again, resumed training yesterday and we shall see which formation we will line up with tomorrow.”
Edinson Cavani is also fit again following injury.
