‘No Way Back’ for Rashford at Man Utd, Says Ferdinand 

Football - Europa League - Manchester United Training - Trafford Training Center, Carrington, Britain - January 22, 2025 Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during training. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Europa League - Manchester United Training - Trafford Training Center, Carrington, Britain - January 22, 2025 Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during training. (Action Images via Reuters)
TT
20

‘No Way Back’ for Rashford at Man Utd, Says Ferdinand 

Football - Europa League - Manchester United Training - Trafford Training Center, Carrington, Britain - January 22, 2025 Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during training. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Europa League - Manchester United Training - Trafford Training Center, Carrington, Britain - January 22, 2025 Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during training. (Action Images via Reuters)

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Marcus Rashford has no future at the club after manager Ruben Amorim said he would rather have his goalkeeping coach in his matchday squad.

Rashford has not played for United since December 12, with Amorim leaving him out of the squad for every game since apart from one, in which he was an unused substitute.

When quizzed on why he had not included Rashford for Sunday's 1-0 at Fulham, Amorim pointed to the England international's effort in training with a stinging reference to Jorge Vital, United's 63-year-old goalkeeping coach.

"The reason is the training, what I think a footballer should do in training, in life and every day... I will put (in) Vital before I put (in) a player who doesn't give the maximum every day," said Amorim in the latest of a series of bombastic remarks since he took charge in November.

Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles and the Champions League during his decorated 12-year career at Old Trafford, said he would be embarrassed by such a statement.

"If I was that player that the manager said that about... embarrassment," he said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

"We all have days off or moments when we're not performing well, lacking confidence, but effort isn't really one of the things I would want to be hearing a manager say is lacking in my makeup.

"That's a damning comment, because I think he knows what the reaction is after that comment. He's not saying that without thinking, 'Where does this go after?' There's really no way back for Marcus after that, I don't think, with that type of comment."

Rashford said in December he was "ready for a new challenge" but he is stuck in limbo with one week of the January transfer window to go.

Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan are among the European giants who have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, who has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for United.

But any move is complicated by Rashford's reported £300,000-a-week ($374,000) salary on a deal which runs until 2028.



Without Ronaldo, Al-Nassr Draws at Persepolis in Last AFC Champions League Group Game 

Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 
Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 
TT
20

Without Ronaldo, Al-Nassr Draws at Persepolis in Last AFC Champions League Group Game 

Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 
Serdar Durban of Persepolis (L) and Mohammed Al Fatil of Al-Nassr (C) in action during the AFC Champions League match Persepolis FC against Al-Nassr FC, in Tehran, Iran, 17 February 2025. (EPA) 

After leaving Cristiano Ronaldo at home, Al-Nassr drew 0-0 away against Iranian club Persepolis on Monday in the last round of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage.

The Saudi Arabian team had already secured a place in the round of 16 of the continental competition and coach Stefano Pioli took a weakened team to Tehran.

Al-Nassr finished third in the West group behind fellow Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal. The top eight advance from each of the two 12-team groups, divided into eastern and western geographic zones.

Al-Ahli beat Al-Gharafa of Qatar 4-2 with former Premier League players Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino all scoring, along with Brazilian winger Galeno.

Also, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan defeated Qatar’s Al-Sadd 2-1 to move into the second round.