United Mystery: Rashford and Garnacho Dropped for Derby, Amorim Denies Disciplinary Reasons
Manchester United celebrated a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the derby, but a surprising decision by new manager Ruben Amorim stole some of the spotlight. Both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were omitted from the squad for the high-stakes clash, raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
The club provided no clarification before the match regarding potential injuries or other issues involving the two attackers. Amorim, who joined United from Sporting CP in November, addressed the situation in a post-match interview with Sky Sports UK:
"Nothing special," the Portuguese manager explained. "Once a match is over, a new week begins. New week, new life. If they train well, they compete for a place in the squad. Rashford and Garnacho are talented players, and we need them."
Amorim dismissed speculation of disciplinary action, emphasising the importance of maintaining high standards:
"Next week, if they train well like everyone else, they’ll play or be on the bench. It’s the same for all players. This wasn’t a disciplinary issue. We need to improve our standards on and off the pitch. It was just a normal week," he concluded.
Implications for United
The decision to leave out two of United’s key attacking players during such a crucial fixture highlights Amorim’s focus on team standards and competition for places. While the manager insists it was a routine decision, it signals a no-nonsense approach as he looks to impose his philosophy at Old Trafford.
Fans will now watch closely to see how Rashford and Garnacho respond, with both players expected to be back in contention if they impress in training during the coming week. For Amorim, this marks another bold step in shaping the team to his vision, one where talent alone is not enough without consistent effort and discipline.
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