Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim has explained his reason for excluding star players Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the squad for Sunday’s Premier League derby against Manchester City.
Both players were reportedly involved in training earlier in the day, adding further mystery to their surprise omissions.
Rashford’s Struggles and Garnacho’s Surprise Omission
Rashford, whose form has been inconsistent this season, has faced mounting speculation about a potential transfer in the January window.
Meanwhile, Garnacho’s exclusion has raised even more eyebrows, considering his prominent role under Amorim since the manager took charge.
The decision to leave both players out has sparked debates among fans and pundits alike, especially as both forwards had appeared in United’s 2-1 Europa League win over Viktoria Plzen just days earlier.
Rashford played 56 minutes in the match, while Garnacho came on as a late substitute.
Amorim Explains Tactical Decision – No Disciplinary Issues
In an interview with GB News, Amorim addressed the decision, insisting that the omission was not due to any disciplinary issues but purely a tactical choice.
“We try to evaluate everything—training performance, game performances, engagement with teammates, pushing their teammates up. Everything is on the line when we analyze and try to choose the players,” Amorim said.
He continued, “I don’t want to send a message; it is simply an evaluation, and they know it. The players are really, really smart. Everybody understands my decision, and I have to choose. It is simple selection.”
The United manager also provided a glimpse into his exacting standards when it comes to player behavior.
“I pay attention to everything—the way you eat, the way you put your clothes on to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation, and then I decide,” he added.
Late Win Secures Vital Three Points for United
Despite the surprise exclusions, United pulled off a crucial 2-1 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad, with a dramatic late brace securing the three points.
The win has brought a ray of hope to a team struggling at the start of the season.
Manchester United defied all odds, coming back from 1-0 to win the game 2-1 with a 88’ penalty from captain Bruno Fernandez and 90th minute goal from in-form Amad.
Amorim Stresses High Standards – Garnacho’s Absence Not Due to Leaks
After the victory, Amorim again denied that there were any disciplinary reasons behind Rashford and Garnacho’s absences.
“It’s not a disciplinary thing. It’s the performance in training and in game, and then I have to choose players.”
The manager continued to stress the importance of upholding the club’s high standards.
“We have to put our standards really high, and for that, they have to fight for their place in their team,” Amorim said.
“Today we proved we can leave anybody out of the squad and you can manage to win if you play together.”
On the subject of rumors about team leaks, Amorim acknowledged the challenge of managing information within a large club but insisted that it had no bearing on his decisions.
“It’s not a good thing but let’s move on to the next one,” he said.
What’s Next for Rashford and Garnacho?
As United prepares for their next fixture, it remains unclear whether Rashford and Garnacho will return to the starting lineup or if Amorim will continue to prioritize his tactical selections over individual reputations.
For now, the message from the United manager is clear: only players who meet his exacting standards—both on and off the field—will secure a place in the squad.
And after a win that could spark a turnaround, the spotlight is now on the entire squad to prove their worth in what is becoming a critical season for the club.
