Ruben Amorim has refused to close the door on Marcus Rashford at Manchester United, despite the forward hinting he was ready for a fresh start away from Old Trafford. 

In an interview with Henry Winter that was published on Tuesday, Rashford said he was "ready for a new challenge" after a difficult 18 months at his boyhood club. 

The England international was left out of Amorim's squad, along with Alejandro Garnacho, for United's late 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester City last Sunday. 

Rashford has struggled to replicate the form he showed during Erik ten Hag's first season in charge, when he scored 30 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions. 

This season, the 27-year-old has scored a team-high four goals in 15 Premier League appearances, level with captain Bruno Fernandes. 

Rashford has also overperformed his expected goals (xG) tally by 3.3, while also boasting the best shot conversion rate (36.36) of anyone in United's squad in the top-flight.

He only signed a new contract last year, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2028, and Amorim is keen for Rashford to stay for the duration, while wanting to help him find his form. 

"I spoke with a lot of players individually and during training. What I want is to take the best of Marcus Rashford," Amorim said in a press conference. 

"I don't talk about the future, I just talk about the present. I want the best from each one of them.

"I just want to win and help the team be better. We are better with Marcus Rashford and it's that simple.

"We will try different things to push Rashford to the best levels that he has shown me in the past."

Asked directly if he wanted the forward to stay, he added: "Of course, because this kind of club needs big talents and he is a big talent.

"He just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus. 

Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club, having burst onto the scene in February 2016.

However, he has since been on a collision course with the INEOS leadership and their "clean culture" approach earlier this year after falling out with Ten Hag for a third time. 

United are preparing for an EFL Cup tie against Tottenham on Thursday before returning to domestic action at home to Bournemouth three days later. 

The Red Devils then face Wolves and Newcastle United to close out 2024, and Amorim insisted that the noise around Rashford's future at the club will not impact his squad. 

"They [players] are more simple than that. They focus on their job. I was a player and we are a little bit selfish. It is not even an impact on the team," Amorim said. 

"We have one more training session, but it is the same situation as the other players. If they train well, then I have to make a choice.

"We will see at the end of training. I expect the best of each player every day."

When asked if he would allow Rashford to leave in January, he said: "This is in the future, my focus is that all the players are at their best and can be prepared for each match."