RUBEN AMORIM SAID he would rather have Manchester United’s goalkeeping coach in his squad than Marcus Rashford after appearing to question the 27-year-old’s commitment to the cause.
Out-of-favour Rashford has not played for his hometown club since 12 December and appears to be firmly out in the cold under the Portuguese after again not making the squad for their 1-0 win at Fulham.
United manager Amorim went as far as saying that 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital is more likely to gain minutes than the England forward.
“It’s always the same reason (why Rashford is not playing),” Amorim said.
“The reason is the training, what I think a footballer should do in training, in life and every day. If things don’t change, I will not change.
“It’s the same situation for every player. If you do the maximum and the right things then we can use every player.
“Today on the bench we missed a bit of pace to change the game but I prefer it like this, I will put (in) Vital before I put (in) a player who doesn’t give the maximum every day, so I will not change in that department.”
However, Rashford took to social media later on Sunday evening to congratulate his team-mates for their success in west London.
“Congratulations on the win lads,” he posted on his Instagram stories.
Lisandro Martinez’s 78th-minute winner helped United to their second Premier League victory in three matches.
The defender, who set skipper Bruno Fernandes up for United’s winner in their 2-1 win over Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday, scored with a long-range deflected effort which looped over Cottagers goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The win moves United up to 12th and Amorim continued: “It’s a good day for us, it was not a great performance but we fought for the win.
“We had that bit of luck which you need sometimes to win, a clean sheet too, so let’s get this feeling into the next game.
“We didn’t play so well with the ball but we gave time to the team. We have intelligent players who in moments can change the game.”
Alejandro Garnacho continued to pick up minutes despite reports of the winger drawing interest from Chelsea.
Amorim, who turns 40 on Monday, admitted he does not know the fate of the winger heading into the last week of the transfer window.
“Nobody knows, anything can happen,” he said when asked about Garnacho’s future. “He’s improving in every department of the game, his understanding of the game.
“I’m trying to find the best position for him. We need guys who can go one-against-one but I don’t know what will happen until the end of the window.”
Fulham were unable to take advantage of their first half showing, where they created the best chances.
Manager Marco Silva said the defeat was unfair on a day where defender Joachim Andersen had his headed effort cleared off the line by Toby Collyer late on.
“The reality is we didn’t score and the second half was more balanced, our second half was not as good as the first,” he said.
“It was a lucky goal, a deflection and after there was a reaction from us. They put a low block with 10 players around the ball and we had a great chance from Joachim Andersen. The result is unfair.”
Rashford obviously stinking the place out of it. Suspect he’s been a bad egg in the dressing room for some time. Manager 100 per cent correct and hopefully they move him on this week. Shame really, he could have been a united legend but he’s made his bed.
@Brian Dunne: totally agree , he’s called him out. A week to the transfer window closing ,still no offer to take him. Tells you a lot
@Chris Tobin: not the best sales pitch to move a player out
@Aidan Ryan: not the best sales pitch but Utd are gonna have to take a hit selling Rashford, among others, just to improve the culture of the club with players who respect the jersey. Players are too pampered and I’m impressed with Amorim here. Bonus points for being a funny fker too.
Not pulling any punches there. Amorin is a breath of fresh air in football. Not afraid to call it as it is with Utds lack of commitment and interest. A bunch of pampered players helps nobody. Keane must be scowling into his Weetabix every morning looking at the way they carry on….
Might do a better job
This is needed as he tries to clean house. Utd players in recent years have been atrocious in their attitude. Something seismic needed to shift the culture. This is it – Amorim knows exactly what he is doing and is prepared to sacrifice transfer value for the establishment of durable values that players know are paramount. No omelette without breaking an egg. Rashford approach has been unacceptable for too long – being called out now as it must. Long way to go but this is part of rehabilitation if it is to occur at that cesspit aka old Trafford. Fair dues is my take.
That was a bit harsh to be fair. And won’t help the sale figures. Compare that to Klopp where he complimented the worst players in order to increase their market values. One wonders.
@Michael Foley: Can see what you mean but that ship has sailed. It’s a bit different, in that the world of football knows the Rashford situation. No point in Amorin pretending. He is also fighting a lot of fires on and off the pitch right now and he needs to focus on the united club and fans understanding of his situation and where it’s at, rather than caring about Rashford’s image.
@Michael Foley: Nobody wants him anyway. Utd are stuck with him. What coach at the top teams would want him. If he can’t do it for his own club. How is he going to do it for any other club.
@David Staed: cause Rashford is the only problem at Utd? Is he a cause, or a player affected by the prolonged rot. And a manager binning an asset the club wants to move off the payroll is dense, only means the club won’t get offers or every club will massively low ball UTD knowing they’re desperate for funds to buy in bodies for Amorim (even if they’re as bad or worse than the outgoing players)..
Amorim seems like a decent guy and a good coach but Id say he inherited a total pile of dog doodoo at Utd. He’s doing the right thing in my opinion with Rashford, prob a few more need a kick up the ar5e. It’ll be interesting to see what he’ll do in the Summer transfer window.