Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has set clear conditions for Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to be included in the squad for their upcoming Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
The match, scheduled for Thursday, December 19, 2024, is a crucial fixture for both teams as they vie for a spot in the semi-finals of the prestigious domestic cup competition.
Amorim, who recently took over the managerial reins at Manchester United following the departure of Erik ten Hag, has emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards within the squad.
This comes after both Rashford and Garnacho were notably absent from the lineup during United's recent 2-1 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The decision to drop the two forwards was reportedly due to their failure to meet the expected training standards.
In a post-match interview following the derby win, Amorim addressed the situation regarding Rashford and Garnacho's potential involvement against Tottenham. He stated, "We have one more training session, but it's the same as the other players. If they train well, then I have to make a choice. We'll see at the end of training – I expect the best of each player every day so we will see after training."
This statement signifies Amorim's commitment to fostering a competitive environment where performance in training directly influences team selection. It also highlights his desire to push players like Rashford and Garnacho to reach their full potential, ensuring that they contribute effectively to the team's success.
The backdrop to this situation is Rashford's recent comments about his future at Manchester United. The 27-year-old forward, who has been with the club for two decades, hinted at seeking a "new challenge" away from Old Trafford. Despite these remarks, Amorim has expressed his wish for Rashford to remain at the club, emphasizing the new challenges that lie ahead as United aims to reclaim its status among Europe's elite football clubs.
"We have here a new challenge," Amorim remarked during a press conference. "It's a tough one. For me, it's the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation, and I already said this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. This is a really new challenge and the biggest one. I really hope all my players are ready for this new challenge."
Amorim's approach reflects his strategic vision for Manchester United, focusing on building a cohesive and high-performing team capable of competing at the highest levels. His insistence on high training standards is part of a broader effort to instill discipline and excellence within the squad.
As for Garnacho, the young Argentine winger is also under scrutiny following his exclusion from the Manchester derby squad. However, he has been given the opportunity to prove himself in training sessions leading up to the Tottenham match. Amorim's philosophy of merit-based selection means that Garnacho, like Rashford, must demonstrate his readiness and commitment to earn a place in the starting lineup.
The upcoming Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham is not only important for Manchester United but also for Spurs, who are eager to secure silverware under manager Ange Postecoglou. Tottenham recently delivered an impressive 5-0 victory over Southampton in the Premier League, alleviating some pressure on Postecoglou and setting the stage for a highly anticipated encounter with United.
Both teams face injury concerns ahead of the match. Tottenham is likely to be without key players such as Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Ben Davies, while Son Heung-min and Destiny Udogie are doubtful due to recent knocks. First-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is sidelined until March, and Rodrigo Bentancur is serving a suspension.
On the other hand, Manchester United's injury list includes Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, with Noussair Mazraoui also a doubt following a knock sustained in the Manchester derby. Despite these challenges, United enters the match in good spirits, buoyed by their recent derby triumph.
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