Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has left star players Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of the squad for today's highly anticipated Manchester derby against Manchester City. The decision, which has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike, was attributed to "selection" reasons rather than any injury or illness concerns.
Amorim, who took charge of the team earlier this year, explained his rationale in an interview with Sky Sports, stating, "We try to evaluate everything: training, performance, game performance, engagement with the teammates, pushing the teammates up. Everything is on the line when we analyze and try to choose the players, so it was my selection. Simple."
The exclusion of Rashford and Garnacho comes as a shock, especially considering their past performances against City. Rashford, a key player for United, had started in Thursday's Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen, while Garnacho made a brief appearance as a substitute. Despite their contributions, both players were informed of their omission during a training session the day before the derby.
Amorim emphasized that his decision was not intended as a message to the players but rather a straightforward evaluation process. "I don't want to send a message. It's simply an evaluation, and they know it. The players are really, really smart. Everybody understands my decision. I have to choose. It's just simple selection," he remarked.
The absence of Rashford and Garnacho has fueled speculation about their future at the club, with some suggesting a potential January exit. However, Amorim remains focused on the team's immediate challenges, noting the difficult context they face. "We have to win games and we have a difficult situation. I pay attention to everything: the way you eat, the way you put on your clothes to go [to] the game. Everything. I make my evaluation, and then I have to decide," he added.
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