- The attacker was left out of Amorim’s team during the Manchester derby on Sunday
- He hasn’t played for England for a while, but the arrival of Thomas Tuchel could help
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Marcus Rashford has explained how he plans to fit into Ruben Amorim’s system at Manchester United in an impressive interview in which the star also expressed his desire to make a sensational comeback to the England national team.
The forward became a Red Devils icon after rising through the youth ranks in 2016 before reaching double figures in league goals in three consecutive seasons and also earning plaudits off the pitch with his charity work.
While featuring regularly for England, Rashford also lifted two FA Cups, two League Cups and a Europa League trophy with the club.
However, the United man has struggled of late. He has scored just four times in 15 Premier League appearances this season and assisted once as the Red Devils have slipped to the bottom half of the standings.
Things came to a head last weekend when Rashford was surprisingly left out of the squad for the Manchester derby by new manager Ruben Amorim, leading to suggestions he may be on his way out.
Now the Englishman has explained why he is struggling to fit into the Portuguese’s new 3-4-2-1 formation and shed light on his future at the club, in an interview with journalist Henry Winterwhere he handed out 420 presents to children.
Marcus Rashford has answered critics who claim he is not suitable for Ruben Amorim’s 11
The attacker has had a difficult season and was eliminated from the Manchester derby on Sunday
There have been suggestions that the 27-year-old does not fit into Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system
He said: ‘I have the qualities to play in all three positions. Some positions are more natural for me, some positions I have to train more and do more tactical (work). The left side suits me best.’
Amorim plays with two no 10s behind the striker, preventing Rashford from establishing himself in his preferred position as a left winger or left interior striker.
“The left 10 still suits me, but you have to adapt your game,” he added. ‘The greatest skills are adaptability. People may not see it, but in the end they will see that I have played in many different positions under all managers.’
Rashford’s future at Old Trafford looks promising after Mail Sport exclusively revealed last week that club chiefs would listen to offers of £40million for the forward in a bid to comply with the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
This was compounded by his brutal criticism of Sunday’s big match and the subsequent unrest around the United camp surrounding a potential leak of team sheets, the perpetrator of which has yet to be found.
Rashford all but confirmed his impending departure in his candid interview with Winter, admitting he wants a ‘new challenge’ and speaking about leaving as a ‘when’, not an ‘if’.
The move would likely increase the striker’s playing time, a development vital to his future consideration for the Three Lions under new boss Thomas Tuchel.
The German’s arrival could lead to a recall as early as March during next year’s first international break, giving Rashford the chance to potentially add to his 60 caps for England.
Rashford has also shown his eagerness to return to England after a spell in the cold
New boss Thomas Tuchel reportedly contacted the star after his arrival in November
Rashford will look to return to his glory days when he scored a lot of goals
A source told The Sun last month: ‘Tuchel contacted Marcus and his representatives and told them he saw Marcus as an essential part of the England squad. He said he believed England’s inability to win Euro 2024 was largely down to Marcus not being an option.
‘Other teams fear his ability and Tuchel said he believed England without Rashford did not offer a strong attacking threat on the left and that made them easier to play against as a lot of the ball came on the right.’
And Rashford has now expressed a firm desire to return to the national team set-up and revive his career on the international stage.
“That still fascinates me,” he told Winter. ‘It’s playing for your country in the biggest competition in the world. I’ve had the opportunity before (Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022) and it’s an incredible experience.
“If I get another opportunity, I will try to grab it with both hands.”
England’s next matches are the World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania in March and where Rashford will call home at that time, as well as his Three Lions prospects, is anyone’s guess.