Roy Keane has warned Marcus Rashford that he may never return to his best form after the forward revealed he is ready to leave his boyhood club Manchester United.
Rashford was omitted from the United squad for the Manchester derby by Ruben Amorim on Sunday and did not travel down to London.
On Tuesday, the 27-year-old plunged his future at Old Trafford into doubt when revealing that he wants a ‘new challenge’.
The United striker, who made his first-team debut in 2016, also claimed that it was a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ regarding his departure when speaking to journalist Henry Winter.
The comments have caused quite a stir at the 20-time English champions and former captain Keane believes it is the right time for Rashford to move on.
Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Keane said: ‘I don’t actually mind what he said, although it’s a bit long, but it’s spot on.
Marcus Rashford revealed that he is now ready to leave his boyhood club Manchester United
Roy Keane believes it’s the right time for Rashford to leave the he has spent two decades at
The ex-United captain also thinks that Rashford’s off-the-field exploits has affected his form
‘Sometimes a deal just works for everybody – it’s been going on for a year or two now. There’s obviously a bit of talent there and he’s been at the club since he was a kid.
‘A change would probably do him a world of good, for him and his team and family to go abroad.
‘My only warning for players like that – he [Marcus Rashford] has all those traits as a footballer. If you lose that hunger, it’s hard to get it back.
‘We know that for great players, it’s nothing to do with money – it’s about the next challenge and your pride.’
Rashford burst onto the scene at United as an 18-year-old, netting four goals in his first two games.
The United icon has gone on to turn out over 400 times for the club, scoring 138 goals and winning five major trophies.
However, Rashford’s form has dipped massively of late. He has scored just four times in 15 Premier League appearances this campaign, assisting once, as the side have slumped into the lower half of the table.
Keane has suggested that Rashford’s actions away from the pitch may have affected his form on it and that his best days may be behind him for good.
Rashford has struggled this season, scoring only four Premier League goals in 15 games
The forward was left out of Manchester United’s dramatic win over rivals Manchester City
‘Marcus seems to have lost his way, and he’s lost his hunger,’ continued Keane. ‘We’ve mentioned watches and all the stuff off the field, and if he’s a bit distracted by that, it might be hard to get it back.
‘He might get it back with a change of club and scenery, but I don’t think he’ll get the hunger back at United.’
On Monday, hometown boy Rashford, who has been at the club for two decades and scored 143 goals, was sent home sick from training.
Club policy is that those who are unwell should attend Carrington where they will be assessed by a doctor. Rashford was deemed to have a high temperature and left the complex.
However, the following day he was at his old primary school, where he handed out 420 presents – and dropped a bombshell story.
The forward, who scored 30 goals in the 2022-23 season but who has just four Premier League strikes so far this campaign, poured out his soul to former Times journalist Winter.
Within a 1,021-word tweet on the exchange, Rashford said: ‘For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.
‘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.
Ruben Amorim has claimed that he does not want Rashford to leave the club despite dropping him
However, Amorim believes that Rashford shoudl have spoke to him first before making comments about a possible departure
‘If I know that a situation is already bad I’m not going to make it worse. I’ve seen how other players have left in the past and I don’t want to be that person. When I leave I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.’
When asked if he would always be a Red at heart, Rashford – who has been at the club from the age of seven and who made his debut in 2016 – replied: ‘Yes! 100 per cent. 100 per cent.’
United boss Amorim has since claimed that he wants Rashford to stay at the club, despite dropping him from the squad for the club’s dramatic win over Manchester City.
Nevertheless, the Portuguese coach wanted the forward to speak to him first before speaking out about his future to the public.
‘If this was me, probably I would speak with the manager, but let’s focus on Tottenham,’ said Amorim.
‘It’s hard to explain to you guys what I am going to do. I’m a little bit emotional so in the moment I will decide what to do.’
Roy Keane was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet
