In a recent statement, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim emphasized that the club is “better” with Marcus Rashford, following the forward’s comments about a potential departure from Old Trafford.
On Tuesday, the 27-year-old England international expressed his readiness for a new challenge and the next steps in his career.
The announcement closely followed Rashford’s omission from the squad during United’s derby victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium two days prior.
Marcus Rashford’s most recent Premier League appearance as a starter occurred on December 1, when he played a pivotal role in a 4-0 victory over Everton, netting two goals in the process.
Amorim indicated that the club desires the striker, a product of United’s youth system, to remain, stating, “I don’t talk about the future; we talk about the present.”
“A club of this caliber requires exceptional talent, and he certainly possesses that. The emphasis now is on his ability to deliver performances at the highest level.” My primary intention is to assist Marcus.
When questioned about Rashford’s aspiration for a “new challenge,” Amorim responded, “I think it’s right.” A new challenge has emerged, and it is a formidable one.
“I consider this the greatest challenge in football, as we find ourselves in a tough situation. I have previously stated that this is one of the largest clubs globally.”
“The anticipation is palpable as I express my hope that all my players are prepared to face this new challenge.”
Amorim stated that the club would “experiment with various approaches” to assist Rashford in reaching the “highest levels he has demonstrated previously.”
On Thursday, United will go head-to-head with Tottenham in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
Amorim declined to confirm the participation of Rashford or winger Alejandro Garnacho, both of whom were omitted from the squad set to face City in the upcoming match against Spurs.
“We have one more training session, but the situation remains unchanged for all the other players,” stated Amorim.
“Should they perform adequately in training, a decision must be made.” We will assess the situation after the training.
Ruben Amorim appears to have heeded the advice from Manchester United, aiming to navigate the complexities of an already fragile situation with care.
Amorim’s track record suggests he cannot shy away from expressing his views. However, in this instance, the impact of his actions will ultimately outweigh any statements he may make.
Amorim wants “big talent” Rashford to remain with the team. However, players must adhere to his expectations.
According to him, Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho will undergo evaluations for their potential selection based on their performances during training sessions.
Consequently, if neither player meets the necessary standard, they will not make the trip to London for the EFL Cup match against Tottenham, regardless of whether Rashford has recovered from the illness that sidelined him from training on Monday.
Following their match against Tottenham, Manchester United will face Premier League opponents Bournemouth, Wolves, and Newcastle in the upcoming fixtures.
The upcoming days will reveal Rashford’s role within Amorim’s strategic framework. The 27-year-old may be excluded if he fails to meet the expectations set by his new boss.
