Pundit Graeme Souness has hit out at wantaway Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford after he announced that he wants to leave the Premier League giants.

Rashford is eyeing an exit route from his boyhood club as he’s announced that he’s “ready” for a new challenge heading into the January transfer window.

The 27-year-old has been slammed for his poor performances and attitude for Man Utd over the past 18 months. He has severely declined since scoring 30 goals across all competitions in the 2022/23 season.

It remains to be seen where Rashford will go, but he is reportedly attracting interest from European and Saudi Pro League sides ahead of the winter window.

It’s been reported that Man Utd would be willing to let Rashford leave on loan on one condition, while Spanish giants FC Barcelona have made an ‘approach’ with the view to signing him in a loan-to-buy deal.

READ: ‘Toxic’ Rashford will have to take Newcastle ‘pay cut’ to prove he isn’t ‘basically Mudryk’

Souness has hit out at Rashford as his exit decision ‘proves he was not up for the challenge’ of battling for his place under Ruben Amorim.

“Marcus Rashford says he is ready for a new challenge and has proven he was not up for the first one thrown down to him of becoming a proper player at Manchester United,” Souness said in a column for The Daily Mail.

“For me, it’s like he has put his hands up in the air and is saying he can’t deal with the expectation levels on his shoulders. He has failed at proving he is able to hold down a place in a team where you play cup finals every week.’

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“In ten seasons at United, he has scored over 20 goals on just three occasions. That’s proof that he is not up to taking on the challenge or the responsibility of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“In his head, he is quietly accepting he has to go and play in a less challenging league. It will be interesting to see where he ends up because, as I said last week, I fear it will only be downhill for him from United.”

Like Souness, former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has wanred Rashford that he “won’t do better than Man Utd”.

“The big decision is the breaking news about Marcus Rashford, and about him seeing his career elsewhere. He needs a fresh start, but I’m not sure where because he won’t do better than Manchester United,” Allardyce said.

“He was dropped from the squad, and that’s got to be because of the manager looking at his attitude.

“He’s obviously become disillusioned with Manchester United for whatever reason, but whether Manchester United are happy with him going is another question. It could be mutual because they could do with the money.”

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has named two Manchester United stars who have been made “available” for transfer heading into the winter window.

Amorim took over at Man Utd earlier this month following the sacking of Erik ten Hag and has endured a difficult start at Old Trafford.

The Man Utd head coach has come across well and rightly earned praise for his handling of the Marcus Rashford situation.

However, he has four wins, one draw and three defeats in his eight matches in charge across all competitions. They were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in midweek and sit six points adrift of the Champions League places in 13th.

A big overhaul is expected at Man Utd in 2025 and Romano has confirmed that Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof are “available” for a transfer in January.

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The two players are about to enter the final six months of their contract and Romano also claims they do not have any “concrete” exit options at the moment.

“Eriksen and Lindelof are available for the January market, but at the moment there’s still nothing concrete,” Romano told GiveMeSport.

“For sure both are players who could be available in January.”

Amorim has also revealed what Man Utd need to fix quickest ahead of their Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday.

“I think we are improving near the opponents’ box,” Amorim said.

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“We had some games that we are near the box, but without a real threat.

“You could see different things today and you can see that we can shoot. We are near the goal and you feel it. You really feel it. I think it is a good thing in our team.

“I feel that our team is faster, are pressing more, the physicality is improving, the understanding of the game, and you can see it by the controlling of the game and you see it more.

“Especially in this game, but also in the last game. We understand more [about] the position and the movement that we should do.

“So, there are a lot of things but, today, it’s hard to think of the good things. We are out. Let’s focus on the next competition.”

On Antony, he added: “He needs more confidence. If you remember Antony and I played against him in Ajax. He lacks a little bit of confidence to go to one against one so he will improve.

“But he’s working really hard and he’s trying in displaying more inside than outside, especially in this game. And he just has to do that, to work really hard and I will happily help him to be a better player.”

Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth could reportedly ‘soon’ make a ‘sensational return’ to football amid interest from Arsenal.

Ashworth has had a rollercoaster year as he left Newcastle United for Man Utd before leaving the Premier League giants after just five months.

INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe headhunted the 53-year-old following his takeover as he overhauled Man Utd’s recruitment team.

Newcastle made it difficult for Man Utd to land Ashworth, who was placed on gardening leave after the interest became clear. A compensation package of around £20m was initially demanded, but an agreement was reached for around £3m.

However, Ashworth did not last long at Man Utd as he reportedly butted heads with Ratcliffe and the rest of the recruitment team.

READ: Rashford slammed for taking ‘flamethrower’ to Amorim relationship as ‘era of tough-nut footballer’ dies with Walker

Earlier this month, a report from The Sun claimed Arsenal and Everton are two possible next destinations for Ashworth.

‘Ashworth, who worked at Newcastle, Brighton, West Brom and the FA, could be offered a swift return.

‘Arsenal are assessing options to replace Edu as sporting director at the Emirates and Ashworth’s unexpected availability has caught their eye.

‘Ashworth has a close relationship with Gunners managing director Richard Garlick, who is leading the search to land a new sporting director.

‘Garlick was legal director at The Hawthorns and worked under Ashworth before replacing him as the club’s sporting director when he left to join the FA in 2013.

‘Everton are also monitoring Ashworth as they wait for The Friedkin Group to complete a takeover. The club’s prospective new owners are in the process of conducting a structural review, which will lead to new appointments including a chief executive and technical director.’

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Since this report, Everton’s takeover has been finalised and a report from Football Insider claims a ‘deal is expected to be done soon’ with Ashworth, who ‘could be set to make a sensational return to football under the new ownership’.

‘The 53-year-old is on the market following his shock exit from Man United.

‘Football Insider revealed that Ashworth was paid around £5million in compensation after his role as sporting director ended on 8 December.

‘Everton would not have to worry about paying any compensation to a current club if they wanted to bring Ashworth on board, although Kevin Thelwell is currently in that role at Goodison Park. There is speculation about his future at the club after the Friedkin Group takeover was officially confirmed earlier this week and he is out of contract next summer.

‘The Merseyside giants could use Thelwell’s upcoming contract as an opportunity to change their sporting director, with Ashworth being a potential contender.

‘Well-placed sources have told Football Insider that Ashworth isn’t expected to remain out of the game for too long.’

So, the actual report indicates a deal is not as close as suggested, but Everton do stick out as a likely destination for Ashworth following their takeover.

According to reports, Manchester United have received an ‘approach’ from a European giant as they look to offload wantaway forward Marcus Rashford.

The 27-year-old has been the talk of the footballing world this week as he’s announced that he is “ready” to leave Man Utd.

Rashford said: “When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.

“When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.

“For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”

Rashford’s exit has been a long time coming as he has been slammed for his poor form and attitude over the past 18 months. He made his announcement after being left out of Ruben Amorim’s squad for the Manchester derby on Sunday.

The England international is linked with several Premier League, European and Saudi Pro League sides. It’s been reported that Man Utd would be willing to let him leave on loan on one condition. 

READ: The player at every Premier League club most likely to pull a Rashford

La Liga giants Barcelona have been mooted as a possible destination and a report from Football Transfers claims ‘Barcelona have made contact with Manchester United over a January loan move for Rashford’.

It is noted that this would be a loan-to-buy deal and Rashford is ‘keen on the move’.

‘The news of Rashford’s desire to leave has piqued the interest of Barcelona, we are told. Rashford is a player the Blaugrana have admired for some time, and president Joan Laporta is keen to pounce on any available ‘market opportunity.’

‘We understand that Barcelona have made contact with Man Utd regarding a potential half-season loan that would include the option to buy the 27-year-old in the summer.’

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‘The fee put forward by the Spanish giants was £35 million (€42m). Man Utd did not immediately respond to the approach but Rashford has been made aware of the interest and is keen on the move.

‘Despite a sentimental attachment between Rashford and the club, Man Utd are determined to offload the winger in a bid to balance the books and revamp the team in collaboration with Amorim.’

While Rashford is nearing an exit, Man Utd have reportedly closed a transfer as Fabrizio Romano has revealed that “all documents are signed” for them to acquire 17-year-old Diego Leon.

On Friday evening, Romano revealed: “Diego León has signed all documents to join Manchester United in 2025.

“Contracts in place for 17 year old left back to become Man United player from July 2025, when he turns 18.

“Deal sealed by Jason Wilcox after South America lead scout Giuseppe Antonaccio pushed for León as talent. Paraguayan LB joins from Cerro Porteno for $4m fixed fee, $1m easy add-ons, $2/3k extra difficult add-ons. Here we go, confirmed.”