Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim says the club are “better” with Marcus Rashford after the striker suggested he could leave Old Trafford.
The England international, 27, said on Tuesday that he was “ready for a new challenge and the next steps” in his career.
It came two days after Rashford was dropped for United’s derby win against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.
Rashford’s last Premier League start came in a 4-0 win against Everton on 1 December, when he scored twice.
Amorim suggested the club want the striker – who came through United’s youth ranks – to stay, saying: “I don’t talk about the future, we talk about the present.
“We are better with Marcus Rashford. This kind of club needs big talents – and he is a big talent.”
Asked about Rashford’s desire for a “new challenge”, Amorim said: “He is right. We have here a new challenge, the biggest in football, we are in a difficult situation. I hope all my players are ready.”
United face Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Thursday.
Amorim refused to confirm whether Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho – who was also left out of the squad to face City – would feature against Spurs.
“We have one more training session and they are in the same situation as the other players,” said Amorim.
“If they train well we have to make a choice.”
