Former Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Marcus Rashford’s time at the club is effectively over after manager Ruben Amorim made a controversial remark regarding the player’s commitment.

Rashford, who hasn’t featured for United since December 12, has been consistently excluded from Amorim’s matchday squads. The only exception was one game, where the England international was left on the bench as an unused substitute.

When questioned about Rashford’s absence in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Fulham, Amorim delivered a sharp critique, highlighting the 27-year-old’s lack of effort in training. He went so far as to compare Rashford unfavorably to Jorge Vital, United’s 63-year-old goalkeeping coach.

“The reason is the training, what I believe a footballer should give in training, in life, and every single day,” Amorim stated. “I would select Vital before putting in a player who doesn’t give their maximum effort every day.”

Amorim’s blunt comments have drawn widespread attention, as the manager has become known for his fiery statements since taking charge in November.

Reacting to the situation on his podcast Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former United defender criticized Rashford for being in such a position.

“If I were the player the manager spoke about in that way… absolute embarrassment,” Ferdinand said. “We all have off days or periods where we’re not at our best, but effort? That’s not something I’d ever want a manager to question about me.

“That’s a damning comment, and Amorim knows exactly the ripple effect of saying that publicly. He’s not making that statement lightly. With that level of criticism, I just don’t see a way back for Marcus at United.”

Rashford himself admitted in December that he was ready to embrace “a new challenge,” but with just a week left in the January transfer window, his future remains uncertain.

European heavyweights such as Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan have reportedly expressed interest in the prolific forward, who boasts 138 goals in 426 appearances for Manchester United.

However, any potential transfer is complicated by Rashford’s lucrative contract, reportedly worth £300,000 per week ($374,000), which ties him to the club until 2028.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has expressed that Marcus Rashford is still far from returning to the club’s matchday squad. The England international has now missed 11 consecutive games, including United’s narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Rashford’s last appearance for Manchester United came more than six weeks ago, in the Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen on December 12th. Following that match, the striker hinted at seeking a “new challenge” away from Old Trafford, fueling speculation about his future at the club.

The January transfer window presents an opportunity for Rashford to move on, but so far, no deal has materialized. Despite United’s ongoing struggles in front of goal, Amorim remains firm in his stance regarding the player.

When questioned about Rashford’s continued absence after the Fulham game, Amorim remarked, “It’s the same, it’s always the same reason. The reason lies in the training, in how I view what footballers should do every day—every detail matters.”

Amorim elaborated on his philosophy, stating, “If things don’t change, I won’t change. The same applies to every player. If you give your maximum effort and do the right things consistently, you’ll get your chance. But as of now, I’m not seeing that.”

The manager admitted that the team lacked pace and attacking dynamism on the bench, which could have helped alter the game against Fulham. However, he remains steadfast in his principles. “I’d rather put Vital [United’s goalkeeping coach] on the pitch before I field a player who isn’t giving their all every day. My standards won’t change in that regard,” he emphasized.

Amorim’s hardline stance persists despite Manchester United’s offensive woes. Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have managed just five goals between them in the Premier League this season. Nonetheless, the Portuguese manager is unwilling to compromise his expectations for Rashford or any other player, signaling a clear message about his commitment to discipline and work ethic within the squad.

Antony’s temporary switch to Real Betis has been confirmed, with the Manchester United winger joining the La Liga side on loan until the end of the season after facing challenges in securing a regular spot under manager Ruben Amorim.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea took to social media to wish his former teammate Antony the best of luck following the announcement.

The Brazilian international arrived in Spain on Friday evening to finalize the details of his move to Betis. The agreement does not include an option for a permanent transfer in the summer, keeping Antony’s future beyond this season open.

Antony joined Manchester United in September 2022 from Ajax in a high-profile £86.3 million deal. However, he has struggled to make a consistent impact in the Premier League. While he marked his debut with a goal against Arsenal, his tally stands at just 12 goals in 96 appearances for the club.

This season, Antony has found the back of the net only once, scoring in a commanding 7-0 victory over Barnsley in the EFL Cup third round. With limited opportunities at Old Trafford, the 23-year-old now heads to Spain, where Betis is reportedly set to cover a significant portion of his salary during the loan period.

Expressing his excitement about the move, Antony shared his thoughts on Instagram alongside several pictures, writing, “Intense day! Made a new story!”

His post was flooded with messages of encouragement from fans and players alike. Among them, De Gea, now playing for Fiorentina, offered his support by commenting in Spanish, “Suerte amigo,” meaning “Good luck, friend.” Current Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir also wished the winger success in his new chapter.

Antony and De Gea shared a year as teammates during the Brazilian’s debut season at United before De Gea’s departure in 2023. Now, as Antony embarks on this new journey with Real Betis, he’ll be looking to reignite his career and make a lasting impression in La Liga.