Ruben Amorim appeared to put the final nail in Marcus Rashford's coffin at Manchester United with his incredible criticism of the forward's effort in training on Sunday. The Red Devils boss extraordinarily claimed he would include 63-year-old goalkeeper Jorge Vital in his matchday squad before any player who isn't giving 100 per cent.

Rashford hasn't featured in the last 11 games since being substituted in United's Europa League win at Viktoria Plzen on December 12.

Amorim has maintained the importance of attitude and application on the training pitch throughout his loud absence, which he reaffirmed after the 1-0 victory over Fulham.

"It's always the same reason. The reason is the training, the way I see what a footballer should do. In training, in life, and every day, every detail," Amorim told reporters at Craven Cottage.

"So if things don't change, I will not change. It's the same situation for every player. If you do the maximum, if you do the right things, we can use every player.

"And you can see it today on the bench – we miss a little bit of pace to go, to change the game, to move some pieces, but I prefer it like that.

"I will put Vital before I put a player that doesn't give the maximum every day, so I will not change that."

However, Rashford has reportedly disputed Amorim's reasoning through journalist Henry Winter, who appeared on Sky Sports on Monday.

After being prompted to share an update from Rashford's camp, Winter explained that he had been told that the 27-year-old was, in fact, working hard in training.

Yet, he added that there was an understanding that due to tactical and financial reasons, Rashford had to move on from his boyhood club.

Winter conducted the bombshell interview in which the England international revealed he was "ready for a new challenge" in December.

That took place one day after Amorim excluded Rashford from his squad for the first time in the derby triumph at Manchester City.

Rashford has been a part of the Portuguese head coach's squad just once since those comments - as an unused substitute for the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United on December 30.

The United No. 10 likely shared his honest emotions in the confidence that he would find a clear path out of Old Trafford this month.

However, with less than a week remaining in the transfer window, Rashford remains in the wings amid a whirlwind of uncertainty.

Barcelona are the frontrunners to sign Rashford on loan but reportedly need to clear space before they can sanction a deal.