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Marcus Rashford’s first Manchester derby was certainly one to remember.

Back in 2016, he fired the Red Devils to a narrow 1-0 win over their fierce rivals at the Etihad Stadium – having soared beyond veteran centre-back Martin Demichelis to notch the only goal of the game.

That day, the sky seemed to be the limit for Rashford. Here was a player clearly possessed with natural talent, a superstar in the making, a man who could be a talismanic figure for club and country alike.

Fast-forward to now, however, and Rashford is in danger of becoming a case of what might have been.

Marcus Rashford is fighting to save his Man Utd career ahead of their Premier League clash with fierce rivals Man City

As United prepare to lock horns with City, rumours have swirled suggesting his time in red could be drawing to a close.

United are seemingly open to cutting the 27-year-old loose when the transfer window reopens in January, even if they’re aware a summer sale is far more likely.

Just 18 months ago, after blowing hot and cold, Rashford had appeared to have turned a corner.

He immediately flourished under Erik ten Hag and notched 30 goals across all competitions as the fallen giants won the Carabao Cup and finished third in the Premier League table.

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Ever since, however, his form has nosedived to such an extend he’s no longer guaranteed a starting spot in the team.

United know that, when things are going well, Rashford is a key player to have. They have persevered with their academy because they know what he’s capable of, having shown his best form in the past.

Yet the club can’t afford any passengers. Ruben Amorim has a big job on his hands and they need everybody pulling together, everybody applying themselves, to turn things around.

Rashford has long insisted he loves playing for United and is believed to be genuinely saddened by their failure to compete with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal for the biggest prizes on offer.

However, that’s no longer enough.

United are said to have concerns about his lifestyle off the pitch, something Ten Hag actually alluded to prior to his dismissal last month.

Rashford, earlier in the year, controversially jetted off to Belfast and was spotted staggering in a nightclub.

When United got wind of the story, they disciplined their No 10. However, rather than kick on, he’s continued to struggle for consistency.

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Marcus Rashford fired Man Utd to a derby day win over Man City after bursting onto the scene in 2016

Barring Liverpool, there is no bigger match for anybody associated with the Red Devils as they prepare to face Manchester City.

If Rashford starts, it will show Amorim – and the club in general – haven’t given up on him just yet.

If, however, he’s benched then talk of a move away next month will only intensify. That is, after all, what happens whenever the January transfer window reopens.

Given Rashford says he cares about United, he should be worried. The clock seems to be ticking down on his Old Trafford career and only he can decide what happens next.