Ruud van Nistelrooy has already sent a warning to Marcus Rashford over his potential Manchester United departure.
Rashford, along with Alejandro Garnacho, was left out of United's squad for the 2-1 derby win away at rivals Manchester City as despite training "really well", Ruben Amorim appeared to unhappy with some of their preparation for the fixture.
But while the United boss had said there is now a clean slate, Rashford delivered a bombshell interview on his future on Tuesday night and hinted at a swift exit from his boyhood club.
When respected journalist Henry Winter asked Rashford if he is staying put or leaving, the 27-year-old said: "For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps."
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Rashford, who said he found it "disheartening" to be left out of the derby, also said there would be "no hard feelings" about the club he has been with since the age of seven, adding: "You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United."
Recent reports claim United could consider offers of around £40 million for the England international and already plenty of clubs are being linked with Rashford.
But Van Nistelrooy, who worked with Rashford as Erik ten Hag's assistant and then interim boss, has already issued a warning to United's No.10.
What has Ruud van Nistelrooy said about leaving Manchester United?
Van Nistelrooy left United as a player in 2006 after scoring 150 goals in 219 games. He wanted to move on and signed a three-year deal with Real Madrid and though he won two La Liga titles, he has admitted that there aren't many great options after leaving United.
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"I know what it's like when you've left – it's gone it doesn't come back anymore," Van Nistelrooy said, discussing Dimitar Berbatov possibly leaving United in 2010.
"I was lucky. I was lucky to play with Real Madrid [after United]. Where can you go after United? Probably that's Madrid. But any other thing isn't the same. Now I know what it is – playing for those kind of clubs that's a one-off for a player."
Despite all the noise around his future and Rashford's honest admissions, Amorim still believes Rashford has a role to play for the club.
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Speaking in a press conference, Amorim said: "We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past.
"This kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level... I just want to help Marcus. He is right. We have here a new challenge, the biggest in football, we are in a difficult situation. I hope all my players are ready."
Rashford has scored 138 goals in 425 games for United ever since making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2016.
Topics: Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, Leicester City
Josh Lawless