Marcus Rashford of Manchester United warms up prior to a Premier League match
(Image: Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Gary Neville makes 'inevitable' Marcus Rashford transfer claim after latest Man United omission

by · Manchester Evening News

Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Marcus Rashford's time at the club has an 'inevitable ending' after the forward was left out of Ruben Amorim's matchday squad for a third consecutive game.

The 27-year-old is a product of United's academy and has over 400 senior appearances for the club, but wasn't involved in their last two games against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Amorim has now left Rashford out of his squad for a third game in a row as United gear up for a Premier League clash at home to Bournemouth.

In midweek, a bombshell interview with Rashford was released by journalist Henry Winter, in which the forward admitted he was ready for a new challenge. Speculation surrounding his future has intensified in recent days with Paris Saint-Germain, along with a handful of Saudi Pro League clubs, among those linked with the England international.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Sunday's meeting with the Cherries, Neville conceded Rashford's time at Old Trafford is likely coming to an end. "It's not really big team news anymore [Rashford not involved]," the pundit said.

"It's something of a norm and a pattern has developed over the last week. It was a surprise last weekend but I think it's getting to a point now where, if you leave him out for three games on the bounce, something is really going wrong or has gone wrong.

"It's not looking great for both Marcus' future at the club, but for Manchester United keeping him either. I suspect it's getting to that point in the journey where it looks like it's got an inevitable ending."

Rashford still has just under four years remaining on his current deal, which he signed in the summer of 2023. PSG have been heavily linked with the forward in the past, with a previous report from The Athletic suggesting Rashford rejected a significant offer from the French club in favour of staying at Old Trafford.

However, a departure now seems the likeliest outcome and potentially even as soon as January. "If you'd have said to me seven or eight days ago I'd have said absolutely no chance [Rashford will leave next month]," Neville concluded.

"As I stand here today, I think it's [likely]. One thing in the past with players at United, or any big club, when it's getting to the point where you're talking to me about it every single week, it becomes a distraction for the manager and the focal point of every press conference.

"It does become obvious that he probably has to leave and that the club want him to leave. It will probably work for both parties."

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