Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has ignited controversy with his recent comments about Marcus Rashford.
He stated he would rather bench the club’s 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital than the England forward due to a perceived lack of effort. This stark criticism comes after Rashford was excluded from United’s matchday squad for their narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham, where Lisandro Martinez scored the only goal from a deflected strike—their sole shot on target of the game.
Amorim’s frustration with Rashford has been building, as the forward has not featured in a Premier League matchday squad for United in nearly two months. The coach highlighted that Rashford does not exhibit the attitude of someone “giving the maximum every day,” which has led to his exclusion from the team. This decision has sparked debates among fans and pundits alike, questioning the future of one of England’s most talented forwards at Old Trafford.
In a post-match press conference at Craven Cottage, Amorim elaborated on his decision, emphasizing the importance of consistent effort and dedication. “It’s always the same reason: the training, the way I see a footballer should do in life. It’s every day, every detail,” he explained. He further stated, “If things don’t change, I will not change. It’s the same situation for every player, if you do the maximum and right things we can use every player.”
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The exclusion of Rashford comes at a crucial time as the January transfer window approaches its deadline. Amorim hinted at the possibility of further changes within the squad, stating, “We have to be cautious. Even the rules here, we have to follow the rules. We did [transfer] mistakes in the past, we can’t do it now. We are focused on improving the team, let’s see. Let’s focus on the players we have and focus on the next game.”
Amorim also addressed the future of Alejandro Garnacho, who started in the win against Fulham before being substituted. With interest from Napoli and Chelsea, Garnacho’s potential departure remains uncertain. Amorim remained non-committal, saying, “Nobody knows. Anything can happen,” while acknowledging Garnacho’s continuous improvement and versatility on the field.
Despite the internal challenges, United managed to secure a vital win against Fulham, albeit with limited offensive opportunities. Lisandro Martinez’s goal was a testament to the team’s defensive resilience, but Amorim remains focused on addressing the squad’s shortcomings, particularly in the attacking third. As Manchester United navigates the remainder of the season, Amorim’s tough stance on player effort underscores his commitment to building a disciplined and high-performing team.
