Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out a return for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford against Wolves on Boxing Day.
The forward has been left out of the Red Devils’ squad for three successive games while announcing he’s ready to leave the club.
Rashford, who scored the first goal of the Amorim era last month, was first axed from the squad for United’s 2-1 win over Man City.
The 27-year-old reacted by delivering a bombshell interview in which he revealed his desire for a ‘new challenge’ away from the club.
Since his comments, manager Amorim doubled down on his decision by exiling Rashford against Tottenham and Bournemouth last week.
However, in his absence, United crashed out of the Carabao Cup before a humbling Premier League home defeat to the Cherries.
Will Rashford return on Boxing Day?
Following back-to-back losses, Amorim gave a surprising response when asked if the club’s academy graduate could play against Wolves.
He simply told Match of the Day: “It depends, we will see.”
Rashford has three goals from six games under Amorim so far, including the first strike under the new manager away at Ipswich.
The England international has not played a single minute since December 7, despite not suffering from any fitness issues.
When asked about Rashford’s exile ahead of the Bournemouth match, Amorim told Sky: “It is my decision and it always will be.
“It is selection. I want to see the best of my players and I try different things with different players, so that is my focus.”
Rashford has been on United’s books for 20 years having been scouted by them at seven years old.
He made his senior debut in February 2016 and has Europa League winners’ medal and is a two-time FA Cup and League Cup winner.
The club’s No.10 signalled his intention to leave the club last week in an interview with Henry Winter.
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.
“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. 100 per cent.”
Wolves vs Man United: talkSPORT coverage
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Commentary will be provided by Joe Shennan and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.
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And as well as this, all of the other Boxing Day fixtures will be live across our network this week.