Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has once again overlooked Marcus Rashford, leaving the divisive forward out of the squad for the visit of Bournemouth on Sunday for “selection” reasons.
Rashford was initially dropped by United’s new boss for last weekend’s Manchester derby before being overlooked for midweek’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur.
United grabbed three points in dramatic fashion against City last weekend but were consigned to a strange 4-3 defeat at Spurs. Despite the exit from the cup, Amorim did not repent about overlooking Rashford, who has publicly expressed a desire for a “new challenge”.
Ahead of Bournemouth’s visit to Old Trafford, Amorim insisted Rashford was training with the squad and was available. However, for the third game in the second leg, the English international did not even make the bench, let alone the starting eleven.
Amorim said bluntly Sky Sports before the game that Rashford had been omitted for the “same reasons” and dismissed the call-up simply as a matter of “selection”.
The Portuguese coach has not specifically explained why the winger was originally dismissed. Amorim would only point to the principles he values ​​after the Manchester derby, explaining that he makes his selection decisions based on “training performance, game performance, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you relate to teammates and push teammates.”
While Rashford was still in United’s line-up – the forward has scored three goals in six appearances for Amorim – reports emerged claiming the club had put their academy graduate on the line. for sale.
Amorim was asked on Sunday by Sky Sports whether his team selection had been influenced by figures outside the club. The head coach gave a blunt answer. “No, that’s not possible,” he said. “It’s my decision, and it always will be. It’s a selection.
“I want to see the best from my players, I try different things with different players.”
