Mark Critchley

Mark Critchley breaks down the main talking points from Manchester United's 2-1 win at Viktoria Plzen

Analysis of the Manchester derby between City and United

Are Manchester City’s current problems too challenging even for the greatest manager of his generation?

Marcus Rashford has spoken of the possibility of leaving Manchester United by saying he is “ready for a new challenge”. The 27-year-old was left out of United’s squad for their 2-1 derby victory over Manchester City on Sunday, with head coach Ruben Amorim saying he had considered “Everything: training, performance, game performance, engagement with the team-mates, pushing the team-mates up” in his decision to omit the forward, along with Alejandro Garnacho. In an interview posted on X by English football journalist Henry Winter, Rashford said it was...

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says he would be happy for Marcus Rashford to stay at the club but admits he has not yet spoken to the forward after his comments about wanting a new challenge on Tuesday. Speaking to journalist Henry Winter about possibly leaving United, Rashford said: “I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.” He added: “When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United.” Rashford’s comments came after he was left out of the United squad which beat...

Can any clubs afford to sign Rashford? What is his contract status? Could Man Utd subsidise his exit? What is Rio Ferdinand's role?

Even amid this mess of a game, United were attempting to bring order. And that, Amorim will think, is progress

Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount is set to be out for “several weeks” after suffering another injury setback in the Manchester derby. Mount was forced off with a muscle injury after just 13 minutes of the 2-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday and was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo. The midfielder signalled he needed to be substituted and sat down on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium. After briefly receiving medical attention, he walked off and was comforted by a number of his United team-mates as he headed for the touchline. The Manchester derby was just Mount’s fourth...

Mark Critchley analyses the key talking points from Manchester United's heavy home loss to Bournemouth

Ruben Amorim has reminded Marcus Rashford that he has a “big responsibility” to help turn Manchester United’s fortunes around amid his continued omission from matchday squads. Rashford was initially dropped for the 2-1 victory in the Manchester derby on December 15, after which Amorim suggested the 27-year-old was not meeting the standards required of a United player. In an interview with journalist Henry Winter, Rashford subsequently said he is “ready for a new challenge” and prepared to take the “next steps” in his career away from Old Trafford.