Ruben Amorim's Bold Move

Manchester United's head coach, Ruben Amorim, has made headlines with his daring decision to exclude star players Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the squad for the highly anticipated Manchester derby against rivals Manchester City. This significant choice has ignited discussions among fans and analysts alike, as both players have demonstrated their attacking prowess in recent matches.

Despite showing flashes of brilliance and contributing to the scoreline in Amorim's early tenure, the fate of Rashford and Garnacho was decided collectively after a careful evaluation process. Amorim's statement is more than just a tactical maneuver; it subtly hints at underlying issues that could lead to a transfer for Rashford as early as January.

Amorim's Justification

In an interview with Sky Sports before the derby, Amorim addressed the media's queries regarding his decision, emphasizing a simplified approach to selection: "Selection. We try to evaluate everything: training, performance, game performance, engagement with the team-mates, pushing the team-mates up. Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players, so that is my selection. Simple."

Amorim reiterated that there was no intention to send a message with this decision, declaring it was strictly an evaluative process. "The players are really, really smart. Everybody understands my decision," he added, highlighting the importance of player discipline both on and off the pitch.

The Pressure of Winning

The Portuguese coach acknowledged the pressure to secure victories amid challenging circumstances, stating, "I pay attention to everything – the way you eat, the way you dress for the game. I make my evaluations based on various criteria, and ultimately, I have a wealth of talent to choose from."

Communication via WhatsApp

In a surprising twist to the communication method, Amorim shared that the news of their omission from the derby squad was conveyed to Rashford and Garnacho via WhatsApp, a modern, yet impersonal method of delivering such significant news.

Looking Ahead

As Manchester United gears up for the crucial match against Manchester City, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see if Amorim's bold decisions pay off. Will the exclusion of these key players spark a renewed team spirit, or could it backfire, leading to unrest in the squad? Only time will tell as the season progresses and the January transfer window approaches.