Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, has once again taken a firm stance against Marcus Rashford, stating he would rather field his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach, Jorge Vital, than give the England international a spot in his team. This latest comment underscores Amorim’s dissatisfaction with Rashford’s effort and attitude, both on and off the pitch.
Speaking after United’s narrow 1-0 win against Fulham on Sunday, Amorim reiterated his belief that Rashford has not been meeting the standards expected at Old Trafford. The forward, now 27, was left out of the squad for the 11th consecutive match, continuing a streak of exclusion that began following the Manchester derby loss to City on December 15.
Rashford’s Future in Limbo
Rashford’s struggles at United have been well-documented. Last month, the once-promising attacker expressed his readiness to seek a “new challenge” elsewhere, following his initial omission from Amorim’s plans. However, with no concrete offers on the table as the January transfer window nears its close, Rashford’s future remains uncertain.
Despite Manchester United’s current struggles in attack—strikers Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have managed just one goal between them since December—Amorim has stood his ground. He made it clear that Rashford’s reintegration into the squad hinges entirely on his willingness to change his approach.
“Every Detail Matters”
When asked why Rashford continues to be overlooked, Amorim didn’t mince words. “It’s the same reason as always,” he said. “The reason is the training, the way I see what footballers should do in training and in life. It’s every day, every detail. If things don’t change, I won’t change.
“It’s the same situation for every player. If you do the maximum, if you do the right things, we can use every player. Today, we missed a bit of pace to change the game, but I prefer it this way. I’d put Vital on before I’d play someone who doesn’t give their best every day.”
A Frustrating Tenure
Amorim, who joined Manchester United in November after guiding Sporting CP to Portuguese league glory, celebrated his 40th birthday on Monday. Yet, he humorously quipped that his brief time at Old Trafford has aged him considerably.
“It’s not 40; I feel like I’m 50!” Amorim joked after the Fulham victory. “After two months at Manchester United, it feels like 50. But it’s a privilege to spend my birthday here. Winning three points is really important for us, even if it wasn’t the prettiest game.”
Building for the Future
The Portuguese manager acknowledged the team’s ongoing struggles but emphasized his commitment to implementing a new style of play. “You can’t see a great improvement in the team yet, and that’s a fact. But winning helps us improve. We’ve had some bad luck in games, but today we managed to get the result. The important thing is that I have a clear idea of what I want to do. Sometimes I’m frustrated, but we’ll play a different style in the future.”
What’s Next for Rashford?
With just days remaining in the January transfer window, Rashford faces a pivotal decision. Will he stay and fight for his place under Amorim, or will he find a new club to rejuvenate his career? For now, the ball is firmly in his court, and Amorim’s message remains crystal clear: only maximum effort will earn a return to the fold.
