Ruben Amorim has launched a scathing attack on Marcus Rashford, suggesting he would rather put one of his coaches on the bench than include the Manchester United outcast in his squad.
In aiming his latest jibe towards the 27-year-old, Amorim doubled down on his previous comments questioning Rashford’s performances in training and accusing the forward of not giving maximum effort to win him over.
Less than an hour after watching his side scrape a 1-0 win over Fulham, Amorim answered questions on why the England international was once again omitted from his 20-man squad.
And the 39-year-old made it clear in no uncertain terms that unless Rashford showed him a drastic change in his attitude, he would continue to be left out in the cold.
“It’s always the same reason. The reasons is the training, the way I see what a footballer should do,” Amorim said.
“In training, in life and it’s every day, every detail. So if things don’t change [with Rashford], I will not change [his view on Rashford].
“It’s the same situation for every player. If you do the maximum, if you do the right things, we can use every player. And you can see it today on the bench – we miss a little bit of pace to go to change the game, to move some pieces but I prefer like that.
“I would put [Jorge] Vital [the goalkeeping coach] on the bench before a player who doesn’t give the maximum.”
Rashford is reportedly open to returning to the squad and fighting for his place, with the striker holding no grudge towards Amorim. But his disparaging comments in public may not go down well with the United forward.
United have so far failed to offload Rashford this month, despite attracting interest from AC Milan, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. Tottenham and West Ham have also reportedly expressed their desire to sign Rashford if he becomes available.
The club’s £40million valuation has been viewed as excessive given his current situation at Old Trafford, while attempts to secure a loan move have ended in failure.
Reports that he could join new Besiktas coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Turkey in a late loan deal have also been dismissed.
Rashford was a regular starter under former boss Erik ten Hag and has scored seven goals from 24 appearances in all competitions this season.
However, he has been cast aside since Amorim’s appointment in November – and the United star hasn’t featured in the Premier League since the 3-2 defeat by Nottingham Forest on December 7.
His only appearance in the squad came on December 30 after their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, where he was left as an unused substitute.
Rashford hasn’t been heard from publicly since he gave an interview revealing he was ready to take on a new challenge, indicating he is keen to leave end his 20-year association with his boyhood club after 426 appearances, 138 goals and six trophies.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk