Marcus Rashford has revealed he is ready to leave Manchester United via an astonishing interview posted on social media site X.

The 27-year-old, who was left out of the squad for Sunday’s Manchester derby, has disclosed that he needs a ‘new challenge’ and has spoken openly about leaving Old Trafford as a ‘when’, and not an ‘if’

Mail Sport can reveal the details behind an astonishing 48 hours following the high-profile snub that appears to have triggered the end of an era.

On Monday, hometown boy Rashford, who has been at the club for two decades and scored 143 goals, was sent home sick from training. Club policy is that those who are unwell should attend Carrington where they will be assessed by a doctor. Rashford was deemed to have a high temperature and left the complex. However, the following day he was at his old primary school, where he handed out 420 presents – and dropped a bombshell story.

The forward, who scored 30 goals in the 2022-23 season but who has just four Premier League strikes so far this campaign, poured out his soul to former Times journalist Henry Winter.

Within a 1,021-word tweet on the exchange, Rashford said: ‘For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.

Marcus Rashford has admitted he is ready to leave Manchester United after 20 years

The forward, who has been at United since the age of seven, made the bombshell admission during a visit to his old primary school, where he handed out 420 presents to children

He and Alejandro Garnacho were left out of the Manchester derby, which United triumphed 2-1

‘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.’

When asked if he would always be a Red at heart, Rashford – who has been at the club from the age of seven and who made his debut in 2016 – replied: ‘Yes! 100%. 100%.’

Rashford, who was on a day off along with the rest of the squad on Tuesday, was dropped for the dramatic 2-1 victory at rivals City along with Alejandro Garnacho in a move by new manager Ruben Amorim which reaped instant rewards.

It is now clear that the end of his time at Old Trafford is rapidly approaching. The interview comes after a series of off-field issues over a difficult 18 months for a player whose talent cannot be questioned. There have, however, been doubts over his commitment.

Last season, Rashford also missed training after a 12-hour tequila-fuelled bender in Belfast while Gary Neville recently dubbed him ‘unprofessional’ for going to the USA to watch an NBA match during his time off.

Amorim had insisted that the axed pair had trained well and that there were no issues.

On being dropped, Rashford added: ‘It’s disheartening to be left out of a derby, but it’s happened, we won the game so let’s move on.

The 27-year-old forward insisted that he would want to leave Old Trafford on good terms

Ruben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag as United boss last month, insisted that Rashford was training well but said he ‘pays attention to everything’ to make his selection decisions

Rashford flew to the USA to watch an NBA match in his time off – which he was entitled to do

But Gary Neville (above) suggested it was poorly timed and dubbed Rashford ‘unprofessional’

‘It’s disappointing but I’m also someone as I’ve got older I can deal with setbacks. What am I going to do about it? Sit there and cry about it. Or do my best the next time I’m available.’

One stumbling block to a move may well be the player’s wages, believed to be around the £325,000-a-week mark.

Selling an academy product would significantly boost United’s profit and sustainability rules standing and allow Amorim to rebuild.

However, finding someone to get close to that figure may prove tricky. Sources have disclosed that Paris Saint-Germain, whom some believe may have offered an escape route, are not currently interested.

A fee of £40m is expected to be enough to secure the services of a man whose contract runs to 2028 following last year’s extension.

Asked why the homegrown forward was omitted for Sunday, Amorim said: ‘Selection. We try to evaluate everything: training, performance, game performance, engagement with the team-mates, pushing the team-mates up. Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players, so that is my selection.’

Rashford has 60 caps but missed out on a place in the England squad at the Euros and disclosed that he hoped to represent the Three Lions at the World Cup.

‘That still excites me,’ he said. ‘It’s playing for your country in the biggest competition in the world. I’ve had the chance to do it before (Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022) and it’s an unbelievable experience. If I got the opportunity again, I’ll try and grab it with both hands.’

Roy Keane recently said that he felt a move away from United would benefit the 27-year-old

Rashford started last season’s FA Cup final, which United won 2-1 over Manchester City

In 2021 Rashford was awarded an MBE by Prince William for his campaign to make sure school pupils received meals throughout the summer holidays during the pandemic.

At the time, he said he would give the MBE to his mum, Melanie Maynard, who raised him and his siblings and vowed to carry on campaigning on behalf of vulnerable children.

United did not respond last night however, Amorim is due to face the media – and a barrage of questions – at 9am on Wednesday.