Marcus Rashford “has to work” and “represent his club”, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has said after the striker missed his side’s FA Cup third round win at Arsenal.

Former United top scorer Rashford has missed seven matches in all competitions through a combination of squad selection and illness, with the former England international’s brother and agent, Duane, scouting a new club for the 27-year-old this month.

“I don’t know,” Amorim replied when asked if Rashford had played his last game for the club he joined as a seven-year-old. Sky Sports.

“He is a player for Man Utd. We will see. He has to work, represent his club and he loves his club, but I have to make a choice. Let’s continue and see in the next game. I have to make a choice.”

Rashford scored three goals in Amorim’s first two league matches since the Portuguese joined from Sporting in November, but the former England international will go more than a month without featuring in the top flight on Thursday (United host Southampton). 8pm GMT).

Joshua Zirkzy keeps his cool to send Manchester United through to the next round! What a drama!

Watch the FA Cup on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app#BBCFACup #BBCfootball #FACup pic.twitter.com/NHdYKOtgsY

– BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 12, 2025

Amorim: Zirkzy ‘a gamechanger’

July signing Joshua Zirkzy scored the winning spot kick in them 5-3 shoot-out victory over The GunnersIt was coming after a 1-1 draw in which Bruno Fernandes struck the opener and Gabriel responded after Diogo Dalot received a second yellow card for the visitors.

“He’s a good guy,” Amorim said of £36.5million forward Zirkzy. “It’s a lot of work. These are the beautiful things in life. A few weeks ago, (he) was in a difficult moment – now it’s a game changer for us.

“We sometimes feel that everything will be alright in the end. I felt that way from the start of the second half.

“I also think that the Arsenal team felt that maybe today was not their day. We deserved to get through this round because we all persevered together and showed character.”

“We Love Him (Ruben Amorim)” #BBCfootball #FACup pic.twitter.com/aLVAz7juTQ

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 12, 2025

Beindir A Man United ‘Hero’

Arsenal had 26 of 33 attempts on goal between the teams, with United goalkeeper Altay Bayandir making excellent saves and touching Kai Havertz’s effort against the post in the only unsuccessful penalty of the shoot-out.

“As a footballer, you have cycles and moments in your life and sometimes your life can change,” Amorim said, calling the Turkey international “our hero” and adding that critics were “pointing fingers” at the 26-year-old after United’s 4. -3 Defeat at Tottenham on 19 December in the EFL Cup.

Bayandir has only appeared for United in domestic cup competitions this season, with Andre Onana playing every minute in their 20 league games and six Europa League matches.