Ruben Amorim has insisted that he wants Marcus Rashford to stay at Manchester United despite reports suggesting that INEOS are prepared to sell the forward.

Rashford recently said that he wanted to take on a ‘new challenge’ away from Old Trafford, leading to speculation that he could be shipped out in January. It came after he was surprisingly left out of the squad to face Manchester City over the weekend.

Amorim was quizzed on Rashford’s future in his press conference on Wednesday and made it clear that he wanted the 27-year-old to stay and fight for his place at United.

“What I want is to take the best of Marcus Rashford, like the rest of the players,” he said. “I don’t talk about the future, I just talk about the present and I want the best from each other.

“I just want to win and help the team be better. We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple. We will try different things to push Marcus to the best level that he has shown in the past.

“This kind of club needs big talent and he is a big talent so we just need him to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.”

It has been reported that United chiefs would be prepared to sell Rashford, who has scored four goals in 15 league games so far this season.

Amorim, however, would prefer to keep hold of the England man having suggested the ‘new challenge’ he wants could present itself at Old Trafford.

“I think he’s right,” added Amorim. “We have here a new challenge and it’s a tough one, it’s the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation. This is really a new challenge and a new one.

“I hope all my players are ready for this new challenge. Have I spoken to Marcus Rashford? Not yet. I gave the day off to the lads. He is our player and he is ready for the next game.”

Asked if the external noise around Rashford’s future would impact the rest of the squad, Amorim replied: “They are more simple than that. They focus on their job, I was a player and we are a little bit selfish. It is not even an impact on the team.

“We have one more training but it is the same situation as the other players, if they train well then I have to make a choice. We will see at the end of training. I expect the best of each player every day.”

It remains to be seen if Rashford will be involved for United when they face Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Thursday night.