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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has blamed the media for fuelling his fallout with Marcus Rashford, who is now close to completing a loan move to Aston Villa with an option for a permanent transfer.

The Portuguese manager recently made headlines by stating he would rather have 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital on his bench than Rashford at this moment. 

The remark appeared to be the final blow in a relationship that had already been deteriorating, with the forward now close to leaving the club.

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‘It’s not personal’ – Amorim

Speaking ahead of United’s clash with Crystal Palace, Amorim dismissed claims of a personal rift and instead pointed fingers at the British media for escalating the situation.

“You [the media] want to make it personal; I have nothing against Marcus, but I have to make the same rules for everybody. We need goals; we need [players who can go] one against one; we need threat in the final third.”

However, it was Rashford who first hinted at a potential exit, telling journalist Henry Winter in December that he was “ready for a new challenge.”

The England international has not featured for United since being dropped for the Manchester derby that same month.

With his Old Trafford future in doubt, the opportunity to work under Villa boss Unai Emery is believed to be an appealing prospect for the 27-year-old—particularly given how fractured his relationship with Amorim has become.