Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United has been called into further doubt after one of the club's legends delivered a scathing assessment of the forward's attitude, suggesting he should be "banished" from the dressing room.
The 27-year-old has been sidelined for 11 consecutive matches, with manager Ruben Amorim leaving him out of the squad for all but one game during that period.
Amorim's comments after United's 1-0 win over Fulham on Sunday added fuel to the fire, as the manager openly criticised Rashford's training standards.
"The reason is the training, what I think a footballer should do in training, in life and every day," Amorim said, even suggesting he would rather play 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital than a player who does not give "the maximum every day".
The remarks were a damning indictment of Rashford's current standing at the club, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning whether there is any way back for the England international.
Scholes: Rashford has "let everyone down"
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Rashford's absence has sparked intense speculation about his commitment and long-term role at the club, with Paul Scholes claiming the forward has "let a lot of people down."
Scholes, speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, did not hold back in his assessment, drawing parallels to his own experience under Sir Alex Ferguson.
"I remember years ago when I told the manager I didn't want to play in that Arsenal game... he said to me 'the worst thing you did is let your teammates down'," Scholes recalled.
"That really stuck with me because I wasn't really thinking about that – and now I think Marcus Rashford, he's doing exactly the same."
The United legend argued that Rashford's behaviour is setting a poor example for younger players like Alejandro Garnacho, who look up to him as a senior figure.
"If he's in and around that and young people are seeing that as an example, the sooner he's gone the better," Scholes added.
Rio Ferdinand echoed Scholes's sentiments, stating that Amorim's comments left Rashford with "no way back" at Old Trafford: "There's really no way back for Marcus after that, I don't think, with that type of comment."
Rashford's recent interview with journalist Henry Winter, in which he admitted he was "ready for a new challenge" has only added to the speculation surrounding his future.
What next for Rashford?
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Rumours about Rashford's future have been swirling for months, and Amorim's comments have only intensified the speculation.
The forward's admission that he is "ready for a new challenge" has led to reports linking him with a move away from Old Trafford, with several European clubs reportedly monitoring his situation.
AC Milan were close to completing a move for the forward but hit a snag, while Barcelona are reportedly keen on signing the England international, with the player allegedly willing to take a pay cut to facilitate the move.
For now, Rashford finds himself at a crossroads. Will he knuckle down and fight for his place at United, or will he seek a fresh start elsewhere? One thing is clear: the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the next chapter of his career.
As Scholes put it, "the sooner he's gone, the better" – but whether that happens in January or beyond remains to be seen.
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