Marcus Rashford revealed he was “ready for a new challenge” during a recent interview with sports journalist Henry Winter. Now Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim has struck back, insisting his side can expect more from a player who has spent so long at Old Trafford. United will take on Wolves in the Premier League on Boxing Day, having fallen to a 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth last time out.

Ruben Amorim believes Marcus Rashford has a responsibility to perform for Manchester United after nearly two decades at Old Trafford.
The forward joined the club’s academy at the age of seven and made his first-team debut in 2016.
However, he revealed that he is “ready for a new challenge” during a recent interview with sports journalist Henry Winter, having been left out of Amorim’s squad for the Manchester derby.

United will face Wolves on Boxing Day, and the Portuguese manager believes The Red Devils have to be strong during a difficult time for the club.
“Some guys have a big responsibility here because they have been here for a long time,” he said when asked about what he expects from Rashford.
“If you have big talents, we need big performances, big responsibility, big engagement to push everybody forward in this moment.
“This is maybe one of the lowest moments in our club. We have to face it and be strong.”
To add to Amorim’s issues at the club, his press conference at Old Trafford was interrupted by a leaky roof.
“If I knew [how], I would solve all the problems of this club, even this [leaky roof at the press conference].

“I know what I am going to do. That is so clear for me. I will not say I am feeling relaxed because I’m really frustrated.
“It’s a very difficult moment, but we will solve problems step by step and find answers for everything.”

United are 13th in the Premier League table ahead of their trip to Molineux.
They suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth in their last league match, and Amorim is prioritising a win over Christmas celebrations as he looks to get the club back on track.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — An Amsterdam District Court on Tuesday sentenced five men to up to six months in prison for violence that erupted around a UEFA Europa League football match between the Dutch club Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in November.

The riots, which caused an international outcry and accusations of deliberate antisemitic attacks, left 5 people in hospital and 20 others with minor injuries. More than 60 people were detained.

The court on Tuesday sentenced one man to 6 months in prison, another to 2 1/2 months and two to 1 month in jail. A fifth defendant received 100 hours of community service.

A series of violent incidents took place between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soccer fans around the soccer match.

Some of the violence was condemned as antisemitic, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering to evacuate Maccabi supporters. The violence, which garnered headlines worldwide, damaged Amsterdam’s reputation as a beacon of tolerance and a haven for persecuted religions, including Jews.

“It seems that the violence arose from strong pro-Palestine sentiments and dissatisfaction with the situation in Gaza, and related anger against the Israelis present,” the prosecutors’ office said in a statement at the conclusion of hearings two weeks ago.

The five defendants, who are all Dutch residents and aged between 19 and 32, were accused of public violence, theft and assault.

The Nov. 8 game was allowed to go ahead after the Netherlands’ counterterror watchdog found there was no “concrete threat” to Israeli fans, and the match wasn’t considered a high risk. Even so, Amsterdam authorities banned a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside the Johan Cruyff Arena.

According to an investigation, the day before the game the authorities reported several incidents, including Israeli fans tearing a Palestinian flag from an Amsterdam building and attacking a taxi.

Six more suspects will have their trials at a later date, including three minors. Under Dutch rules, proceedings for juveniles are held behind closed doors. Police are continuing to investigate the violence and have released images of several suspects they want to identify.

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka suffered a torn hamstring in the Gunners’ emphatic 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday, ruling him out for ‘many weeks’. Saka’s absence comes ahead of a huge run of games for Arsenal, who still hope to win the Premier League title, despite their autumn slump.

The Gunners play Ipswich, Brentford and Brighton in their next three league games, and then comes two huge cup ties. Arteta’s men welcome Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-finals five days before hosting Manchester United in the FA Cup. Then it’s the small matter of the north London Derby before clashes with Aston Villa and Dinamo Zagreb to round out five consecutive home games.

Having already lost Martin Odegaard for an extended period, coinciding with their dip in form, fans are worried about what Saka’s absence could do for their season, especially after Arteta suggested that they won’t be signing a replacement in January.

With that in mind, here are four ways that Arsenal could line up without him.

1. Martinelli returns to the right
For starters, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll see Arsenal in any other shape than a 4-3-3. Yes, Arteta has used a 4-2-3-1 formation during his managerial career but the principles remain the same; two wingers and one striker.

The obvious option would be to play Gabriel Martinelli as the right winger, where Saka was been so ever-present since his breakthrough under Unai Emery. The Brazilian isn’t having his best season but has played on the right 10 times for Arsenal.

Last season, the Gunners won three and drew one of the four matches in which Martinelli, a left winger by trade, played in the role. That draw was at Manchester City, suggesting that Arteta has a successful formula on his hands if the 23-year-old shifts sides.

2. Arteta uses Guardiola’s tactic
Had it not been for Gabriel Jesus’ goalscoring form in the past week, this would be another fairly straightforward option for Arteta. The striker has notched five goals in his last two games – both of which were against Palace – after not scoring in the league since January 2023.

Jesus may be hitting a purple patch up front but knows how to operate on the right. The 27-year-old has scored eight goals and registered 10 assists in 28 games as a right winger, although most of those came for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester City team.

Arteta would risk upsetting Jesus with the move but Kai Havertz could push further upfield and the inclusion of Thomas Partey gives the Gunners a more solid base. One to ponder.

3. Trossard shows his versatility
For £27million, Leandro Trossard has been a handy pick-up by Arsenal. Having joined from Brighton two years ago, the Belgium international has added goals and versatility to the Gunners’ attack and that’s exactly what Arteta will want from him if he decides he’s best to replace Saka.

Trossard, 30, has only played once on the right-hand side for Arsenal – the Gunners’ 4-1 win at home to Leeds in 2023 – but got plenty of minutes in the role at Brighton and was deployed there during Belgium’s Euro 2024 campaign. The forward was signed to give Arteta more options in all three positions in attack, so it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to get the nod.

4. Sterling gets his chance
Last but certainly not least, the most experienced right winger of them all at Arsenal – bar Saka – Raheem Sterling. Boasting 178 career appearances in the position while at Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and now Arsenal, Sterling has registered an impressive 51 goals and 48 assists.

The 82-time England international hasn’t broke into Arteta’s preferred line-up since his loan move from Chelsea but an opening on the right flank could be perfect. Sterling, also 30, has already been used on the right five times by Arteta, although they’ve mostly been substitute appearances.

“It’s been tough and very difficult for me as well to accept that I haven’t given him more,” the Arsenal boss confessed earlier this month. “When he hasn’t started the games, 90 per cent of the subs that I make is related to saving minutes or because of injuries or avoiding injuries.

“It’s not tactical reasons. I would like him to play much more as I think he can impact the team in a very good way. He’s very good in the dressing room and is absolutely desperate to play.

“He had this very important role, impacting every game, and suddenly you are in this position for a while. Not just here but at Chelsea as well. So it’s always very difficult and I feel a lot of sympathy for players when they are in this moment. Hopefully we can change it.”