Ruben Amorim says Marcus Rashford 'wants to play' but reminds forward of 'big responsibility'

Marcus Rashford's exile from the Manchester United first team is entirely the decision of head coach Ruben Amorim — but there is a way back for the forward.

Rashford has not played for the Red Devils, or even been in the matchday squad, for the past three games in all competitions. Having initially been dropped for the 2-1 derby win over Manchester City — after which he told journalist Henry Winter that he was "ready for a new challenge" — he was subsequently left out of the defeats to Tottenham and Bournemouth.

The apparent disconnect between the England forward and the new man in charge has led to an expectation that Rashford will be moved on in the January transfer window, but Amorim has made it clear that the 27-year-old has not necessarily played his last game for the club.

Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day game at Wolves, Amorim underlined what Rashford needs to show in order to earn back his place.

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When asked what he wanted to see from the player, Amorim told reporters: "Like any other player: the best that they can be. If you want to have big talent, big performance, big responsibility, big engagement, push forward everybody in this moment.

"Some guys have a big responsibility here because they're here for a long time. This is maybe one of the lowest moments in our club, so we have to face it and be strong in this moment. That's what I want from every player on the team."

Amorim described the situation with Rashford as "normal", adding: "When I feel it's the right moment, I'll change something. Until then, I'll continue to think [about] what is the best for the team.

"I speak with him every day. Not about the interview, [but] about the performance.

"He wants to play. It's my decision, only my decision. I spoke with a lot of players, individually and during training. I'm trying to do things my way and it's the only way I know. If I don't do that, I will lose myself. And I will not lose myself. I know what I'm doing."

The situation with Rashford has dominated much of the conversation around United, who have lost four of their past six games in all competitions and will be in the bottom half of the standings at Christmas for the first time in the Premier League era.

Yet Amorim insists it is not a distraction for the rest of the squad, adding: "Everybody is there every day in training so they understand, and that is the key point. For the media and for the other people, I cannot control that, but I'm really focused and they know [that].

"I'm so clear in my message. Everybody in Carrington knows what I'm talking about and what I want from Marcus and everybody else. It's not a distraction for us. Maybe it is for the media, but that is not my concern."