Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has revealed that illness will likely keep Marcus Rashford out of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.
The exiled striker returned for his first call-up against Newcastle United on Monday night. Rashford remained on the bench as his teammates suffered a complete dismantling in front of their own fans, from which they eventually escaped with a 2-0 defeat.
Amorim explained that the England international, who had missed the previous four games amid intense speculation about an imminent departure, was always available for selection, but stressed that “we have a lot of players out.” Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were suspended for the club’s fourth consecutive defeat on Monday, but are again available for the trip to Anfield.
Rashford is likely to miss the upcoming M62 trip due to illness. “Right now he is sick, he is not training,” Amorim told the media on Friday. “I think he will be out this week. “We’ll see.”
Rashford sparked fervent rumors linking him with an exit after giving an interview last month in which he revealed his desire for “a new challenge”. After weeks of incessant transfer rumors, the striker called the talk “ridiculous” and “false.”
That has not stopped the constant movement of speculation. Few elite European clubs are believed to be able (or willing) to finance a move for Rashford and his high wages, leaving the Saudi Professional League as his most likely destination. However, the 27-year-old reportedly rejected offers from three Saudi Arabian clubs this month, rejecting wages believed to be worth up to £35million a year.
A move to La Liga, specifically Barcelona, is said to be Rashford’s preferred outcome in this grueling saga, but the Catalans do not have the funds to even fund a loan deal.
As the United academy graduate faces another week watching from the sidelines, his future remains as uncertain as ever.
