Ruben Amorim reveals Man Utd plan for Marcus Rashford against Liverpool | OneFootball

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim revealed that an illness will likely keep Marcus Rashford sidelined for Sunday's trip to Liverpool.

The formerly exiled forward returned to his first matchday squad against Newcastle United on Monday night. Rashford remained on the bench while his teammates suffered a nut-and-bolt dismantling in front of their own fans, eventually escaping with a 2-0 defeat.

Amorim explained that the England international - who had missed the previous four matches amid intense speculation surrounding an impending exit - had always been available for selection, but did note that "we have a lot of players outside". Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were both suspended for the club's fourth consecutive loss on Monday, but are once again available for the trip to Anfield.

Rashford is likely to miss out on the upcoming journey along the M62 due to illness. "At the moment he is ill, he is not training," Amorim told assembled media on Friday. "I think he is going to be out this week. We will see."

Marcus Rashford was the centre of attention despite remaining on the sidelines earlier this week / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Rashford ignited the fervent rumours linking him with an exit after giving an interview last month which revealed his desire for "a new challenge". Following weeks of unrelenting transfer gossip, the forward slammed the talk as "ridiculous" and "false".

That has not stopped the steady churn of speculation. Few elite European clubs are thought to be able - or willing - to fund a move for Rashford and his hefty wages, leaving the Saudi Pro League as his most likely destination. However, the 27-year-old has reportedly rebuffed offers from three Saudi Arabian clubs this month, turning down salaries thought to be worth as much as £35m a year.

A move to La Liga, specifically Barcelona, is claimed to be Rashford's preferred outcome from this draining saga, but the Catalans do not have the funds to even finance a loan deal.

As United's academy graduate faces another week watching on from the sidelines, his future remains as uncertain as ever.