Anthony Martial has told Manchester United he wants to leave.
The France forward has become a fringe figure at Old Trafford, making just two Premier League starts this season and only four in all competitions.
"We spoke at length on Wednesday," said interim United manager Ralf Rangnick, revealing the 26-year-old's desire to quit Old Trafford.
"He explained to me he’s been at Manchester United now for the last seven years and he feels it’s the right time for a change, to go somewhere else.
"I think in a way this is understandable, I could follow his thoughts but on the other hand, it’s also important to see the situation of the club.
"We have Covid times, we have three competitions in which we still have high ambitions and want to be as successful as we can be."
Martial became the world's most expensive teenage footballer when United signed him from Monaco in September 2015.
The £36m (€43million) fee, potentially rising to £58m (€69m), made him United’s third most expensive signing at the time after Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata.
Martial made a memorable debut, coming off the bench to score a superb solo goal against Liverpool, and has gone on to score 79 goals in 268 appearances.
But he has fallen down the pecking order of United forwards following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Jadon Sancho and the emergence of Mason Greenwood.
Rangnick confirmed there has been no interest in Martial ahead of the January transfer window and he could stay at United.
He said: "I told him listen, as long as there is no club showing interest in him, and it should not only be in the interest of the player it should also be in the interest of the club.
"So far, as far as I know, there has been no offer from any other club and as long as this is the case he will stay."
Rangnick also echoed Jurgen Klopp's concern over signing players not vaccinated against coronavirus.
Liverpool manager Klopp has been outspoken, insisting players should get jabbed amid the rise of Premier League coronavirus cases caused by the Omicron variant.
Klopp has said he would think twice about signing unvaccinated players and fellow German Rangnick has now reiterated those worries and its potential impact on any United dealings during the January transfer window.
"I think it could be a consideration and I fully understand what Jurgen said," Rangnick stated as United prepare to end an enforced 16-day coronavirus break at Newcastle on Monday.
"This is an issue the clubs seriously have to think about.
"If you sign a player knowing from the very first day that he has not been vaccinated, you have to be aware he might not be available.
"Not only for 10 days, but this could happen regularly in Covid times."
Rangnick cited the absence of Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich as evidence that unvaccinated players should be jabbed as soon as possible.
The Germany international, who said in October he was not vaccinated against Covid-19, suffered a lung problem following coronavirus infection and has been ruled out until the new year.
"You had the example of Joshua Kimmich, who was extremely hesitant at the beginning and I think in the meantime he has realised it might be a good idea to get vaccinated," Rangnick said.
"He caught Covid and still has some problems with his lungs.
"I think this is an issue where of course everybody can, and should have, his free will but in football, especially at this level we are playing at, we need to try to convince our players to get vaccinated.
"As I said it may not just happen once, it could happen several times in the future and therefore it should also be in the interest of players to be vaccinated.
"But in the end it’s a decision that each club has to take by themselves and find the best possible solution."
United last played on 11 December, a 1-0 win at Norwich which saw Rangnick claim a second successive league win since taking charge at Old Trafford.
