Man United boss Ruben Amorim questions ‘choices’ of Marcus Rashford’s entourage

LONDON – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has questioned the “choices” of those close to forward Marcus Rashford, whose time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end.

The 27-year-old England international sat out a third straight game on Dec 22, as the Red Devils slumped to a 3-0 English Premier League home loss to Bournemouth.

Rashford was also omitted from the squad for the 2-1 derby win at Manchester City earlier in December and last week’s 4-3 League Cup quarter-final defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.

Two days before the Spurs loss, the player said in an interview in the British media that he was “ready for a new challenge and the next steps” of a career that began in the United academy.

“It is a hard situation but I understand that this kind of player have a lot of people around them, and making some choices that sometimes is not the first idea from the player,” Amorim told Sky Sports on Dec 23.

“They chose to do that interview because it’s not just Marcus. I understand that, so for me as a coach I’m just focused on the performance, the way he trains.

“The rest, I think, is better for me and the club to deal with that when the time comes.”

The Portuguese did, however, express his support for Rashford, who is under contract until 2028, and is keen for him to stay. He said that he can “separate” his relationship with the forward from the decisions of the people advising him.

“At the moment I’m just focused on improving Marcus,” added Amorim.

“We need a lot in this moment, (from a) talented guy like Marcus, and I forget for now the interview. I just see what I see on the pitch.”

Rashford has scored three goals since Amorim took over in November, but was taken off in the 56th minute of their 2-1 Europa League victory at Viktoria Plzen on Dec 12, with supporters booing him as he left.

He has often been criticised for lacking fight and desire on the pitch, while he has also yet to rediscover the form that saw him score 30 goals in all competitions in the 2022-23 season.

According to The Times of London, United’s ownership group Ineos will support Amorim regarding any decision in a bid to clamp down on “player power” at the club.

“Sir Jim Ratcliffe and other senior figures at Manchester United will leave the decision over Marcus Rashford’s future with the club completely in the hands of the head coach Ruben Amorim,” the news outlet reported.

“It has been made clear that Ratcliffe, the club’s new minority owner, will not interfere in any way, despite the potential damage being caused to Rashford’s sale value by his absence from the team.”

Former United defender-turned-pundit Gary Neville believes that a January transfer seems likely now for Rashford and that the player’s exit from Old Trafford is looking “inevitable”.

“I think obviously now it’s getting to a point whereby you leave him out three games on the bounce, something really is going wrong or has gone wrong,” he said on Sky Sports.

“It’s not looking great for both Marcus’ future at the club and Manchester United keeping him either. I suspect it’s getting to that point in the journey where it looks like it’s got an inevitable ending.”

Meanwhile, United’s defeat by Bournemouth left them 13th in the Premier League, their lowest position in the top flight at Christmas since 1986.

Amorim’s side return to action at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Dec 26 before hosting Newcastle United on Dec 30. AFP, REUTERS