Ruben Amorim’s Bold Squad Decisions Spark Speculation Over Rashford’s Manchester United Future
Premier League Museum Admin 
Marcus Rashford Manchester United
Ruben Amorim’s decision to leave Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of Manchester United’s derby with Manchester City had left more questions than answers. Both players were left out of the squad altogether despite neither carrying any injuries. Amorim explained his decision pre-match, sending a warning to his United squad.
Ruben Amorim said “I don’t want to send a message. It’s simply an evaluation, and they know it. The players are really, really smart and so everybody understands my decision and I have to choose. It’s just simple selection. The way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to the game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I have to decide. I have a lot of players to choose and today I made my choice. They are alright, they had training this morning, I was there because it is important for every player – even Jonny Evans because Jonny Evans also and Toby (Collyer) was there – I was there during training and everything was OK. They trained really well.”
The decision to exclude two significant attacking players sparked varied opinions on their future with the club. Josh Holland, commenting on the potential implications for Marcus Rashford, noted the uncertainties regarding his continuing role at Old Trafford.
Josh Holland said “You do get the feeling that this is Amorim putting a marker down. New to the job and pressure around the job, the Portuguese has already raised eyebrows over his actions. Dropping Rashford and Garnacho is some way to do that, that’s for sure. However, his words before the derby would point towards something off the pitch. Problems away from football have impacted Rashford before and he returned very quickly. We could see both players return to the squad against Tottenham on Thursday. But should this be a long-term issue, we could see the start of a huge fire sale at United. Talk of Rashford leaving the club has resurfaced once again this month but the thought of Garnacho leaving is something out of the ordinary. At only 20, he has plenty of room to grow and his sale would be another club’s gain. Leaving him out of the clash with Manchester City is huge considering the inexperience of Amad and Mason Mount’s lack of games. Perhaps the biggest concern watching United on Sunday was that you would not have expected United to play any better if Rashford was in the squad. And that is what is so damning. So what to do? Well, for me, the time seems right to sell him. His race appears to have been run at Old Trafford and £40million, as is believed to be his value, would go a long way to helping Ruben Amorim improve this squad. It is a difficult end to his time at his boyhood club and there is no doubting he cares deeply about United. But, there are a number of people who want United to do well but you don’t entrust all of them to play week in, week out. For whatever reason, things are not working for Rashford at United and a fresh start could do both parties the world of good. As for Garnacho, I would be less concerned about his future ending soon. It will take a lot for him to regain some trust though, particularly with Amad excelling so much. Unlike Rashford, Garnacho may be given more time to adapt.”
Tom Coley provided further insights into Rashford’s potential departure from the club and what it could mean for his future.
Tom Coley said “This doesn’t have to be game over for Rashford at United but it certainly feels like it’s going to be. With January around the corner and Amorim going from starting him – with three quick goals – to dropping him entirely, things are moving too quickly in one direction. Rashford has not seemed happy at United for well over 18 months now and it just doesn’t look likely to change. To get a proper fresh start under Amorim this is the sort of thing that needs nipping in the bud. Someone will spend money on him. It won’t be the £80million or more that United could easily have gotten a few years back, though. Maybe Paris Saint-Germain rear themselves again. Maybe Arsenal make a surprise play. Could he join Chelsea and Jadon Sancho? This situation is eerily similar to how he ended up leaving. As for Garnacho, his future is his own to decide right now. United won’t want to sell him but if things don’t turn around quickly then they will be left no choice because a manager has already gone. The decision-makers will back Amorim and their own judgement over player power here. The ball is in his court. This particular situation doesn’t have to be the end of his Old Trafford career, but I think for the sake of Ruben Amorim building a squad with his own imprint it would be a statement to make the 27-year-old surplus to requirements and bring in players of his own. Controversy doesn’t have to be the end of Rashford – his numbers are simply not good enough and this stagnant era needs to be brought to an end. Sell him to a foreign team like Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich – not an English rival, is my warning. Garnacho on the other hand, he has a long career ahead and flashes of talent over recent seasons have proven that he can be influential at Man United. Any more signs of trouble and I hope the club would be swift in their decision-making.”
Meanwhile, Stephen Killen offered his perspective on the situation regarding both Rashford and Garnacho, highlighting what it might mean for their futures.
Stephen Killen said “Make of it what you will, but it appears that Ruben Amorim is sending a message to the rest of the squad and drive the standards for the future. It is unlikely that the omission will lead to Rashford and Garnacho left out of the squad regularly before they are shown the exit door, the 39-year-old has looked to send a message that things need to change at Old Trafford. Garnacho is still young and a dip in form was likely after he was so heavily depended on last season, and in stages this term. But the England international’s struggles have been well documented and he has had highs at the Theatre of Dreams but the speculation rages on over his future. While that is a good argument, it is in Rashford’s hands to let his football do the talking.”
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