New Delhi: To understand why Marcus Rashford has been missing from the squad for the last five games, one needs to look at the discipline standards Ruben Amorim sets for his side. In December, United had just beaten Everton 4-0 where Rashford had scored a brace in what was one of their most dominating performance in a while. However, that was just about when Rashford’s season was due to take another turn.
48 hours before United hosted Everton at Old Trafford, Rashford was reportedly out in Manchester. This is a work culture his Portuguese manager doesn’t want to promote in his team. Though Rashford had reportedly assured Amorim that his movements were misinformation, three days later, Rashford was out of the starting line-up for the trip to Arsenal.
Of course, squad rotation was one the primary reasons for Rashford’s exclusion, the English international’s social life has been taking a centre page for a while now and is believed to be a reason behind Amorim’s decision. Rashford though was back in the Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen. He was then left out of four consecutive matchdays before returning to the bench last week for the game against Newcastle, where both Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte were suspended.
Amorim had noted that many players in the squad needed to be given games and the 27-year-old was due to play the game against Newcastle so he was given a place in the playing squad. There is little doubt that Rashford’s place in the team has no certain timeline. Especially after seeing Amorim not introduce him even though Newcastle were losing 2-0 from the early moments of the game. He will again be on the sidelines for the game against Liverpool on Sunday.
🚨⚠️ Marcus Rashford will miss Man United’s next game against Liverpool, Rúben Amorim confirms.
“Marcus is ill and is not training. I think he’s going to be out”.
“The situation is still the same, he’s like all the other players”, Amorim says. pic.twitter.com/5xgZSlOKHi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 3, 2025
The 39-year-od manager though maintains that this is no statement from his side but a tactical plan and requirement for winning. Amorim’s dealing with the Rashford situation is a reflection of the management above him, including INEO director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, technical director Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada. Right after their 2-1 victory in the Manchester derby, Amroim had hinted at having talks with the top executives of the club about handling Rashford.
Amorim noted that with someone like Rashford if something doesn’t work, a decision has to be made if the management should continue going the same pathway or if should something be changed.
Marcus Rashford repeating past mistakes
Last season, Rashford had been seen partying for two nights in a row and was even photographed entering a nightclub, just hours before a training session at Carrington. He had reported himself to be ill that session and had even said he was out for only one evening.
This resulted in then manager Erik ten Hag declining the forward’s offer to play in an FA Cup tie in Newport County and had said that Rashford had taken “responsibility for his action”. Ten Hag brought Rashford back to the starting line-up against Wolves in the Premier League a few days later and even scored in the 4-3 winner.
Amorim though is a taskmaster opting for the harder way. Ten Hag and his associates had long noted that Rashford required extra attention and this was something that had been passed on to United’s new owners at INEOS. Brailsford in his first interaction with the side had noted that INEOS wanted to bring up the standard at the club. Though it was unrelated to Rashford, it did strike a chord enough for the forward to have a long interaction with Brailsford.
Marcus Rashford’s conundrum under different managers
For a while Rashford has been on focus of every new manager and interim manager who have come to United, coping with different roles and instructions. So far he has played under eight managers since his senior team debut in 2016. He has been a confusing player for his managers as well.
For example, Ralf Rangnick once noted that Rashford though did brilliantly in training, but failed to convert this in the game. One of the primary reasons was Rashford’s comfort at playing left while Ragnick needed him on the right, especially after Mason Green’s absence from the team.
When Jadon Sancho joined the side in 2021, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had the same problem as Sancho preferred left more than right. Ten Hag had a good relationship with Rashford and had overseen his best season in 2022-23 where the latter scored 30 goals. However, things turned south between the duo in different tactics. Rashford’s final scoring under Ten Hag was in a Europa League game against Porto where he was in good rhythm but was taken off owing to lapses in the defence.
New co-owner of United Sir Jim Ratcliffe wanted Rashford’s firing as his salary, which goes until 2028, makes him one of the highest earners in the club. United see him returning little value for money and his inconsistent performance means the top management are in support of leaving Rashford out of the squad.
As the winter transfer period opens, talks surrounding Rashford have become more loud. Rashford has already said that he is prepared to take on the new challenge when asked about his decision to move on from United. Rashford further said that he would have no hard feelings for United if they have decided against his stay at the club.
🚨 Marcus Rashford: “For me, personally, I’m ready for a NEW challenge and the next steps”, told @henrywinter.
“When I leave it’s going to be ‘no hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Man United”.
“That’s me. I will always be a Red”. pic.twitter.com/KKtuXjohMJ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 17, 2024
Of course, it is hard to find a club who are ready to pay Rashford his current salary and to part with a transfer fee as well. His only way out could be a move to Saudi Pro League which is something not best fit for Rashford reportedly. Over that, his, antics have often left his teammates more irritated. After Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s departure, only Tyrell Malacia remains in his close association with the team.
Amorim has though said that he would like Rashford to change his approach and lifestyle. His training though more recently have been mixed with some days being exceptional. Rashford has been absent from training for two days due to illness. Against Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, he would have been a definite start.
He is still one of United’s best bets having scored seven times this season along with three assists behind only Fernandes (16 goal involvements) and Alejandro Garnacho and Amad (12 goal involvements). His running stats have improved as well, as he covered 10.2 km per 90 minutes on average, rising from 9.97 km and 9.57 last two seasons. His speed has increased as well.
His off-field antics have let him down at an age where he should be setting an example for his younger players. Amorim and his managerial team need to see the improvement in Rashford for his retention.
With Marcus Rashford set miss sixth game in a row across competition, the English forward’s time with Manchester United is clearly marked at the club. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
