Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has made a bold decision by leaving Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of the squad for the upcoming Manchester derby against City. This exclusion has garnered significant attention, particularly as the Red Devils continue to endure a challenging Premier League season. Currently positioned 13th in the table with just 19 points, United are under pressure to turn their fortunes around.
Amorim’s side comes into this derby after a 2-1 midweek victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, but domestic form remains a concern. The team has suffered back-to-back league defeats, losing to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, and they now face a formidable task against their city rivals at the Etihad Stadium. Rashford, who has been the subject of transfer speculation, and Garnacho, who featured as a substitute in the midweek fixture, are surprising omissions at a critical juncture for the team.
Explaining his decision, Amorim told Sky Sports that his squad selection was based on a comprehensive evaluation of various factors. “We try to evaluate everything—training performance, game performances, engagement with teammates, push their teammates up. Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. It is my selection. Simple,” he said. He emphasized that his decision was not meant to send a message but was rooted in objective assessments. According to the manager, players understand the rationale behind his choices. “The players are really, really smart. Everybody understands my decision, and I have to choose. It is simple selection,” he added.
Amorim also acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding the team, admitting that the pressure to win games plays a role in his evaluations. He elaborated on his meticulous approach to assessing players, stating, “I pay attention to everything—the way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation, and then I decide.” Despite the high stakes, Amorim described his communication with Rashford and Garnacho as clear and professional. “There is a communication after the last training. They are alright. They had training this morning, and I was there. They trained really well,” he noted.
Rashford started in the midweek Europa League win but was substituted just before the hour mark, following an exchange with Amorim as he left the field. Garnacho also featured briefly in the match as a substitute. Nevertheless, both players will now be sidelined for one of the season’s most crucial games, with Amorim’s selection choices set to be heavily scrutinized as United face their fierce local rivals.
