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The pair who had not been reported injured or unwell were mysteriously absent from the travelling squad to bitter rivals Manchester City.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has shed light on the unexpected absence of forwards Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho during Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 derby victory over Manchester City at the Etihad.
The duo, neither reported injured nor unwell before the match, were omitted from the traveling squad, prompting speculation about their exclusion.
Despite their absence, United ended a two-year wait for a win at the Etihad and celebrated their first derby triumph under Amorim.
The game’s turning point came late, as Amad Diallo who had been given the nod in the absence of the pair emerged as the hero.
The winger won a penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted to equalize Josko Gvardiol’s first-half opener before sealing the win with a stunning stoppage-time strike.
When questioned about his decision to leave out Rashford and Garnacho, Amorim explained that his selection was based on a holistic evaluation of players’ overall contributions, both on and off the pitch.
“We try to evaluate everything, training, performance, game performance, engagement with the teammates, pushing the teammates up,” Amorim said via Sky Sports.
“Everything is on the line when we analyze and choose the players, so it was my selection. Simple.”
Amorim dismissed suggestions that the decision was intended as a message to the dressing room, emphasizing it was purely a matter of assessment.
“I don’t want to send a message. It’s simply an evaluation, and they know it. The players are really smart, so everybody understands my decision. I have to choose. It’s just a simple selection.”
The Portuguese tactician elaborated on the meticulous nature of his approach, considering factors beyond performance, such as discipline and professionalism.
“I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put on your clothes to go to the game. Everything. I make my evaluation, and then I have to decide. I have a lot of players to choose from, and today I made my choice.”
Amorim’s decision to hand Diallo a prominent role proved decisive. The young winger’s impactful performance justified the manager’s trust and shifted focus from the absent duo.
However, Amorim acknowledged the difficulty of making such calls, particularly during a challenging period for the team.
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“Of course, the context is difficult. We have to win games, and we’re in a tough situation. But I evaluate everything, and I stand by my decisions,” he affirmed.
With United’s dramatic win injecting momentum into their campaign, questions remain about Rashford and Garnacho’s roles in the squad moving forward. Amorim’s comments suggest a clear expectation for players to meet high standards on and off the pitch.
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