Manchester, England – The air at Old Trafford is thick with tension as manager Ruben Amorim publicly lambasted star striker Marcus Rashford, suggesting he’d rather field his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach on the bench than the England international.
Rashford, who has been conspicuously absent from matchday squads for the past six weeks, was once again omitted from the team that faced Fulham on Sunday. While crucial, the 1-0 victory did little to quell the storm surrounding the enigmatic forward.
Amorim, known for his fiery temperament, pulled no punches when questioned about Rashford’s exclusion. “It’s the same reason every time – his training, his attitude. It’s not acceptable,” he declared. “I expect the utmost dedication from every player. If they don’t give me their all, every single day, they won’t play. I’d rather have Jorge Vital, our goalkeeping coach, on the bench. At least he gives his maximum.”
The comments sent shockwaves through the club and beyond. Sources close to Rashford insisted that the player harbors no ill will towards Amorim and remains eager to contribute to the team. However, with the transfer window closing soon, his future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
Hopes of a move to AC Milan were dashed with the arrival of Kyle Walker. The Italian club is limited to signing only one English player this month. A potential loan to Barcelona hinges on the departure of other players, and neither Eric Garcia nor Ansu Fati shows any inclination to leave the Nou Camp.
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, speaking on BBC Match of the Day, echoed Amorim’s sentiments. “The fans aren’t stupid. They can see when players aren’t giving their all. Amorim is simply being honest. If you don’t train hard and dedicate yourself, you won’t play. It’s as simple as that.”
However, former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger cautioned against Amorim’s harsh approach. “He’s setting an example, but this could damage his relationship with the players in the long run,” Hitzlsperger warned. “Amorim is under immense pressure to deliver results. If he alienates the players, it could backfire spectacularly.”
Amorim, who turns 40 on Monday, couldn’t resist a touch of gallows humor amidst the turmoil. “It’s not 40… it’s 50,” he joked. “Two months at Manchester United, and I feel like I’ve aged a decade.” The joke fell flat, a stark reflection of the grim reality facing the club.
Sunday’s victory over Fulham was crucial but far from convincing. It was only their fourth Premier League win since Amorim took over in November, highlighting the immense challenges he faces in implementing his preferred style of play.
“We want to play a different style, and we will,” Amorim insisted. “But it takes time. We need to be patient.”
With the transfer window deadline looming, Manchester United are yet to make any significant signings. The focus has been on offloading players, with winger Antony recently joining Real Betis on loan. Speculation continues to swirl around the future of Alejandro Garnacho, despite the young winger starting against Fulham.
Selling Garnacho could generate much-needed funds for potential transfers and help the club avoid potential breaches of financial regulations.
“We have to be cautious,” Amorim emphasized. “We’ve made mistakes in the past, and we cannot afford to repeat them.”
