MANCHESTER, Dec, 19 (V7N) – Marcus Rashford remains integral to Manchester United, head coach Ruben Amorim said Wednesday, following comments from the forward hinting he is ready for "new steps" in his career.

The 27-year-old England international was left out of United’s squad for their dramatic 2-1 victory over Manchester City in Sunday’s derby, alongside Alejandro Garnacho. Amorim later emphasized that his selection decisions reflect the club's commitment to high standards.

“I don’t talk about the future; we talk about the present,” Amorim told reporters ahead of Thursday’s League Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur. “We are better with Marcus Rashford. This kind of club needs big talents – and he is a big talent.”

Despite being sidelined, Rashford has been a mainstay for United, with 138 goals in 426 appearances since joining the first team in 2016. His accolades include the Europa League, two FA Cups, and two League Cups.

Amorim reiterated that Rashford and Garnacho’s involvement against Spurs depends on their performance in training. “They are in the same situation as the other players. If they train well, we have to make a choice,” he said.

Rashford, who signed a five-year contract last year, addressed his future on Tuesday while visiting his old school to hand out Christmas presents. He stated he was prepared for the next phase of his career, sparking speculation about a potential move.

Amorim, however, remains focused on unlocking Rashford’s best performances. “What I want is to take the best of Marcus Rashford... We will try different things to push him to the best levels he has shown me in the past,” the coach said.

As Manchester United gear up for their League Cup clash, Amorim's faith in Rashford underscores the forward's importance to the team and their ambitions this season.

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