Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola is reportedly 'a big fan' of Marcus Rashford, with a spectacular move to the Etihad Stadium not being ruled out at this stage of proceedings.
Rashford told journalist Henry Winter on Tuesday that he is "ready for a new challenge and the next steps" after being left out of the Manchester United squad for Sunday's Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.
The Red Devils would allegedly be willing to sell Rashford for £40m in January, with the club said to be open to a move despite head coach Ruben Amorim insisting that he wants to keep hold of the Englishman.
When asked whether he wanted Rashford to stay during his press conference on Wednesday, Amorim said: "Of course, because this kind of club needs big talent and he's a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus."
However, it is believed that both parties are working towards a departure, with Paris Saint-Germain viewed as the favourites for the 27-year-old, who has scored seven goals and registered three assists in 24 appearances for Man United this term.
Man City boss Guardiola 'is a huge fan of Rashford'
Rashford is also being linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia, but it is believed that he wants to stay in Europe at this stage of his career.
According to The Times journalist Martin Samuel, Man City head coach Guardiola is a huge fan of Rashford and 'has privately claimed he was the one player he would take from the club down the road'.
Rashford has scored 138 goals and registered 63 assists in 426 appearances for Man United, including 87 goals and 40 assists in 287 outings in England's top flight.
The forward's time at Old Trafford is seemingly coming to an end, though, and it would be one of the biggest stories of modern-day football if he left the Red Devils to move to Man City.
Ferdinand criticises Rashford's 'body language'
Former Man United captain Rio Ferdinand has said that Rashford's 'body language' has been one of the major issues during a difficult period in the forward's career.
"I don't think this is just a football decision for Manchester United, there is more to it," Ferdinand said on his official YouTube channel. "You have to remember that when this kid came onto the scene, he was an absolute breath of fresh air, he was a joke. Again, the body language when he came in, was what every fan saw themselves being if they came in.
"That's been the biggest killer for me, that his body language, for the last three years, has not been what a Manchester United fan sees himself being in a Manchester United red shirt when a goal goes in or when they step foot out onto Old Trafford.
"His body language has been almost depressive, a recluse like body language. The fans are meant to see academy products and see themselves there and anyone who thinks they are going to get a chance to play for Manchester United, at any level in the first team, should be beaming. It's that privilege to step out of there in that red shirt on the regular.
"Marcus has said that, but his body language hasn't said that, that has been the killer for me. I hope this ends well and everyone goes out and leaves this situation without any cuts or bruises. Marcus' ego might have a few bruises, but he has a chance to rebuild himself.
"We are in an age where seeing is believing and I want to see the whites of his eyes. I want to see his body language, I want to see him grimacing because he is leaving – that's what it sounds like, but am I really sure? Is he saying that and feeling that emotion? That's what video content does for us nowadays and when we have that at our disposal, why not use it."
Amorim said during his press conference on Wednesday morning that he is yet to decide whether to include Rashford in his squad for Thursday's EFL Cup quarter-final with Tottenham Hotspur, but the forward was not pictured with the squad that departed for London on Wednesday afternoon.
