Manchester United legend gives brutally honest verdict on Marcus Rashford

The Red Devils' forward has not featured for the club since mid December after a promising start to life under the Portuguese head coach.

After being left out of United's 2-0 win at Fulham on Sunday, Amorim appeared to question Rashford's professionalism in what could prove to be the final straw for the 27-year-old.

Amorim said he would rather have 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital in his matchday squad than 'a player that doesn't give his maximum every day.'

Reacting to the Portuguese manager's brutal comments, former United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Rashford has run his race at Old Trafford.

"If I was the player that the manager said that about, my heart, my pride, my ego - it's embarrassment," Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents YouTube channel.

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"For someone to question your application, to question you giving 100 per cent for the team, saying you're lacking effort and taking shortcuts, that's a damning comment. There's no way back for Marcus after that.

"If he did come back that means other players can take their foot off the gas and have a way back into the team and take shortcuts."

It has been a steep drop off for Rashford who netted the first goal of the Amorim era in the 1-1 draw at Ipswich on November 24.

He netted two more in the 4-0 win over Everton a week later but was subsequently omitted from the squad for the 2-1 derby success over Manchester City.

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The situation was turned up a notch when Rashford expressed his desire for a 'new challenge' in a bombshell interview with journalist Henry Winter in December.

Rashford's output has been touted as the main reason why Amorim has chosen to overlook him however Ferdinand believes that the forward would have been quick to shut down Amorim's recent comments if they were inaccurate.

"For me, if it isn't true, I'm coming out all guns blazing. I'm holding a press conference and saying 'I'm not having anyone say that about me'," said Ferdinand.

"You only do that if you are 100 per cent sure that nobody can say you're taking shortcuts. We're in an era where you have the ability to really communicate with the fans directly so the story is not getting twisted.

"I would love to sit across the table from Marcus and look into his eyes and see if he could say that. If you can't, you have to look at yourself."

Rashford has been unable to replicate his form of 2022/23 when he posted a career best 30 goals.

Since then, Rashford has netted just 15 goals across all competitions and Ferdinand says Rashford still has much to prove at the highest level.

"When is the penny going to drop, that it's nobody else's fault, the only person that can change is me, not a manager, or someone telling me I have to play a certain way," added Ferdinand.

"Then go into training every day with a spring in your step because you're a lucky guy and don't think anyone owes you anything. Go and earn the right to play and earn plaudits."

Watch Ruben Amorim's brutal response when asked about Marcus Rashford's absence from Manchester United's win over Fulham