Amorim Draws Line with Rashford: “Train Alone, Find a New Club”
In a dramatic escalation of tensions at Manchester United, manager Rúben Amorim has reportedly issued a blunt ultimatum to Marcus Rashford: “You’re training alone; find a new club.” The stark directive signals the near-total breakdown of the relationship between the 27-year-old forward and the Portuguese coach—potentially marking the end of Rashford’s two-decade association with his boyhood club.
Amorim’s No-Nonsense Approach
Since arriving at Old Trafford in November 2024, Amorim has made clear his intent to overhaul the club’s culture. Drawing from his success at Sporting CP, he has prioritized discipline, intensity, and accountability—values that Rashford has reportedly failed to meet. Club sources point to a string of underwhelming training sessions and inconsistent performances as the main drivers behind Rashford’s exclusion from key fixtures, including clashes with Manchester City, Tottenham, and Bournemouth in late 2024.
While early absences were downplayed as tactical decisions, tensions became public when Rashford admitted in an interview with The Times’ Henry Winter that he was open to a “new challenge.” Amorim’s response? A directive that leaves no doubt: Rashford is not part of his long-term plans.
“I’d rather play Jorge Vital [goalkeeper coach] than someone who doesn’t give 100%,” Amorim reportedly told staff, according to internal sources.
A Fractured Legacy
The fallout represents a stunning fall from grace for Rashford, who joined United’s academy at age seven and has gone on to score 138 goals in 426 senior appearances. His 2022–23 campaign under Erik ten Hag—where he netted 30 goals—now seems a distant memory, replaced by a pattern of inconsistency that has frustrated fans and managers alike.
Rashford’s brief loan spell at Aston Villa in early 2025 offered a glimpse of his quality (four goals, six assists in 17 appearances), but it wasn’t enough to alter Amorim’s view. Despite returning to Carrington and posting training updates on social media, Rashford’s symbolic change of his X bio to “England International Footballer” appears to reflect a growing disconnect from United.
Financial and Sporting Consequences
The decision to sideline Rashford carries financial implications. Public friction could weaken United’s negotiating position, with clubs like Barcelona, Juventus, and Bayern Munich reportedly monitoring the situation. However, Rashford’s high wages and uneven form remain barriers to any quick resolution.
Amorim’s stance, while divisive, aligns with his broader project: reset United’s culture, no matter the cost. The club’s disappointing 2024–25 campaign, which saw them fall to 13th in the Premier League by Christmas, underscored the need for change. Amorim’s unwillingness to make exceptions—even for homegrown stars—has drawn both praise and criticism.
“This is what United have needed,” one senior club source said. “No more favoritism. Perform or go.”
What’s Next?
Rashford’s future remains uncertain. While he’s keen on a move abroad—especially to play alongside Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal—his exit will depend on finding a buyer willing to meet United’s valuation and his wage demands. A fresh start could help him rediscover his form, much like Jadon Sancho has at Chelsea. But for now, Rashford finds himself isolated at Carrington, emblematic of the Amorim era’s ruthless recalibration.
One thing is clear: under Rúben Amorim, sentiment has no place at Manchester United. Standards are non-negotiable—and Marcus Rashford is no exception.
