Rashford transfer 'confirmed' as Man Utd squad given for Arsenal FA Cup clash

Manchester United have embarked on their trip to London ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated FA Cup third-round clash against Arsenal at The Emirates.

The match is a marquee fixture of the weekend, with both clubs eager to secure silverware this season.

United manager Ruben Amorim has hinted that he will field a strong side, aiming to build on the momentum of last weekend’s impressive 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

According to The Manchester Evening News, Marcus Rashford was notably absent from the traveling squad. While Amorim previously suggested the 27-year-old forward was available for selection, Rashford’s omission likely signals ongoing discussions regarding his future. His representatives have reportedly been holding talks in Europe this week about a potential loan move, fueling speculation that his time at Old Trafford may be nearing an end.

Despite Rashford’s absence, several key players were spotted preparing for the trip. Backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who Amorim has confirmed will start ahead of André Onana, was among them. Young midfielder Toby Collyer also made the traveling party and could play a role in Sunday’s match as United look to defend the trophy they won in spectacular fashion last season against Manchester City.

Speaking in the build-up to the match, Amorim addressed his approach to squad rotation and reiterated his focus on fielding the strongest possible team.

"I think we rotated more earlier in the season when we were trying to figure out the squad. Now, players have returned from injury, and we’ve had more time to train, so we’re rotating less," Amorim explained.

"I don’t rotate just for the sake of it—I want to win. Right now, I’m living day by day. We’ve had a week without a game, so resting players doesn’t make sense. We need to win and build on our last performance."

Amorim emphasized the importance of prioritizing the FA Cup, even if it means sacrificing recovery time for future matches.

"We’re in a difficult moment, but we’re improving. We’ll put out the best team to try to win. Sometimes winning a game like this is more important than resting players. We’ll focus on this match first and think about the next one later," he said.

With strong teams expected from both sides, the clash between United and Arsenal promises to be an intense and closely contested affair. As Amorim aims to guide his team through this pivotal match, fans will hope for another memorable FA Cup performance to keep their title defense alive.