Marcus Rashford needs to perform at the highest level, says Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim
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Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has often been criticised for a lack of desire on the pitch.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has suggested he is happy to keep out-of-favour Marcus Rashford at the club, but the forward must perform “at the highest level”.
The 27-year-old dominated headlines ahead of the Red Devils’ League Cup quarter-final clash at Tottenham Hotspur on Dec 19, having told a British journalist that he is not dismissing a “new challenge” away from the club.
This came after he and fellow winger Alejandro Garnacho were dropped from the squad for the 2-1 English Premier League win over Manchester City last weekend, as Amorim hinted that the duo’s performance both in training and in matches were not up to standard.
They could return for the Spurs game, but neither are guaranteed a start.
On the issue, Amorim said: “I spoke with a lot of players individually and during training. What I want is to take the best of Marcus Rashford. I don’t talk about the future, I just talk about the present.
“I want the best from each one of them. I just want to win and help the team be better.
“We are better with Marcus Rashford and it’s that simple. We will try different things to push Rashford to the best levels that he has shown me in the past.
“Of course, (I’m happy for him to stay) because this kind of club needs big talents and he is a big talent. He just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.”
With or without Rashford, the United boss will be glad that his team are clicking into gear at just the right time, as they prepare for their game at Tottenham.
Both teams enter the match after winning their Premier League games last weekend – Spurs thrashed Southampton 5-0, while United claimed Manchester derby bragging rights.
The Red Devils have won their last two away games by the same scoreline – against City and Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League – and what is vital is that they came after consecutive losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Pressure has eased a little on Amorim amid his mixed start to life at Old Trafford, and he will demand constant improvement from his side following the victory over City.
“My focus is to have all the players in the best that they can be to prepare for each game,” he added.
Although United are still in 13th place in the Premier League, only six points separate them from the top four. But with that at the back of their minds, Amorim knows that the League Cup quarter-finals should be their immediate focus.
The Red Devils have failed to beat Tottenham in their last four meetings, with two defeats, most recently a 3-0 humbling at Old Trafford in September under former manager Erik ten Hag.
In the League Cup, however, United have not had much difficulty finding the back of the net. They have scored 12 goals in two matches, beating Barnsley 7-0 and Leicester City 5-2. Amorim, however, will be missing the injured Mason Mount and Luke Shaw.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are seeking to reach the semi-finals for the third time in five years.
To do that, they will need to end their four-game winless run at home – they have not suffered a longer such streak since 2008, the year they last won a major trophy (the League Cup).
Spurs were also dealt some bad news as midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur’s appeal against the length of his seven-game suspension was dismissed, the Football Association (FA) said on Dec 17.
The Uruguayan was banned for making a racist remark about teammate Son Heung-min.
Bentancur had denied the charge, but an independent regulatory commission found it to be valid and the FA imposed the suspension and a £100,000 (S$171,000) fine on the 27-year-old in November.
Spurs then appealed, arguing the sanction was too “severe”.
“This appeal was dismissed following a hearing, and the seven-match suspension remains as ordered by the regulatory commission,” the FA said in a statement.
Bentancur will miss the clash against United and a key Premier League game against Liverpool at home on Dec 22.
On the injury front, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert, Guglielmo Vicario and Mikey Moore are all out. REUTERS
