Marcus Rashford to Man City? Pep Guardiola 'has always been a fan' as Man Utd forward seeks exit in search of 'new challenge'

Manchester United are reportedly eager to offload Rashford, potentially as early as next month, amid concerns about his lifestyle and focus. New manager Ruben Amorim dropped Rashford completely for his squad for Sunday's 2-1 derby win over City, and the 27-year-old has since admitted he is "ready for a new challenge" in his career.

It remains to be seen where Rashford may move but a switch to rivals Manchester City is not being ruled out by The Times journalist Martin Samuel. Guardiola is reportedly a big fan of the forward and has "privately claimed he was the one player he would take from the club down the road". It's also noted how City are a little light up front this season after allowing Julian Alvarez to leave and sign for Atletico Madrid.

Rashford moving to City would be a huge shock and obviously enrage United fans, and his latest comments talking about his future suggest that is not how he would like to leave his boyhood club. He told journalist Henry Winter: "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. 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."

He was then asked if he would "always a Red" and answered: "Yes! 100%. 100%.”

Rashford has hit five goals in 16 Premier League meetings with Manchester City. He also scored against United's neighbours in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup in 2020.

Rashford's future looks set to dominate headlines ahead of the January transfer window as a move away from Old Trafford now looks inevitable. In the meantime, the forward will hope to return to the matchday squad on Thursday when United take on Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.