Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has made headlines with his surprising decision to drop stars Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the squad for the Manchester derby against Manchester City. This bold move sent ripples through the fan base, especially as United managed to secure a remarkable comeback victory at the Etihad Stadium.
Rashford and Garnacho, both prominent figures for United, were notable absentees, even failing to make the bench during the match. Amorim clarified during the post-match press conference, emphasizing, "It's important to say why: was not a disciplinary thing. Next week, next game, new life, they are fighting for their places." His comments reveal the manager's commitment to maintaining high standards within the club.
United's match was electrifying, with Bruno Fernandes converting a penalty to level the score after Josko Gvardiol opened the account for City. Amad Diallo clinched the victory with a stunning winner deep in stoppage time, marking Amorim's first major triumph since taking the helm at Old Trafford.
Despite the intense scrutiny he faced concerning Rashford and Garnacho's omissions, Amorim pointedly stated, "When people in our club are losing their jobs, we have to put the standards really high, and for them, they have to fight for a place in the team." His focus on performance metrics extended beyond just match-day efforts; he mentioned how every aspect of player behavior, from their dress sense to their engagement with teammates, matters greatly. "The performance in training, the performance in game, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with teammates... everything is important," he noted, emphasizing his holistic approach to management.
For Rashford, the disappointment of not participating was palpable. Nonetheless, he rallied post-match on social media, celebrating with his teammates by posting on Instagram, "Yesssssssss! Love it lads," complete with heart emojis, showcasing his support for the team even when sidelined.
His teammates Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee also expressed their solidarity, responding with heart emojis to Rashford’s post, signifying camaraderie and support off the pitch.
Ruben Amorim did not shy away from addressing the challenges he faces, explaining his rationale behind the squad decisions. "It's the small details. You can see the games like I see; there are some things...that have to change," he stated, pointing out the learning curve both for the players and the structure he is trying to implement.
He also conveyed his method of informing Rashford and Garnacho about their omissions; the communication was delivered via WhatsApp message following the last training session. "It's the same all the time. There’s communication after the last training which goes to the WhatsApp. They receive the information. But they are alright. They had training this morning. I was there. Everything was OK. They trained really well," he said.
Moving forward, Amorim has made it clear there is room for redemption for Rashford and Garnacho, reitering, "It’s a new life, it’s not disciplinary, and I have to choose players." Yet, he established the underlying message: players must continuously prove their worth both on the pitch and during training. With upcoming matches on the horizon, fans will be watching closely to see how Rashford and Garnacho respond to this wake-up call.
The team is set to face Tottenham Hotspur this Thursday in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup, and all eyes will be on whether Rashford and Garnacho can reclaim their places as United seeks to build on its recent success.
