Ruben Amorim on Garnacho’s Reaction to Being Dropped and Rashford’s Future

Ruben Amorim has shed light on Alejandro Garnacho’s response to being left out of Manchester United’s squad for last weekend’s Manchester derby, alongside teammate Marcus Rashford.

Both players were omitted from the matchday squad for United’s Premier League clash against Manchester City, raising questions about their performances and roles in the team.

Amorim on Team Selection

Explaining his decision to drop the duo, Amorim told Sky Sports:

“We try to evaluate everything—training performance, game performances, engagement with teammates, pushing their teammates up. Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. It is my selection. Simple.”

The Portuguese coach confirmed that both Garnacho and Rashford would have the opportunity to fight for their spots ahead of Thursday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Garnacho’s Response

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Garnacho had been recalled to the squad for the Spurs clash, while Rashford was left out again. When asked during his pre-match press conference about Garnacho’s reaction to his exclusion, Amorim praised the young Argentine’s attitude:

“Really good. [He] trained really well. He seems a little bit upset with me, and that is perfect. I was really, really happy because I would do the same. He is ready for this game.”

Rashford’s Comments on His Future

Rashford, meanwhile, has fueled speculation about his future after admitting he was open to a “new challenge” away from Old Trafford. Addressing Rashford’s comments, Amorim expressed a preference for direct communication:

“If this was me, probably I would speak with the manager, but let’s focus on Tottenham. It’s hard to explain to you guys what I am going to do. I’m a little bit emotional, so in the moment, I will decide what to do.”

On Team Leaks

Amorim also spoke about the ongoing issue of team leaks, which he previously described as “impossible” to prevent. He downplayed concerns about the leaks, emphasizing the importance of preparing the team effectively:

“Nothing. Nowadays, all of the coaches know about it. I explained a lot about the team—how I want us to play, the positions, etc.

“I understand that the coaches have that information just to see one time how Manchester United play, so I’m not really worried about that. I also cannot control that, so I’ll do the same things and prepare the same way.

“For me, it’s more important for my players to go into a game with a clear idea of how to do it than to try to hide something to protect the leaking of the starting XI. That’s not my focus.”

Looking Ahead

With Garnacho set to return to action and Rashford facing further uncertainty, all eyes will be on Amorim’s squad selection and tactics as United take on Tottenham. The game provides an opportunity for Garnacho to prove his worth and for Amorim to further solidify his vision for the team.