By CHRIS WHEELER
Published: 15:19 EST, 15 December 2024 | Updated: 15:19 EST, 15 December 2024
Marcus Rashford was axed from Manchester United's squad for Sunday's stunning derby win at the Etihad Stadium over fresh concerns about his lifestyle.
Rashford and teammate Alejandro Garnacho were dropped before Amad Diallo won a late penalty and then scored a 90th-minute winner to stun Manchester City 2-1.
Head coach Ruben Amorim revealed that Rashford and Garnacho were both fit to play, saying: 'They are fighting for their places.
'But for me it's important: the performance in training, the performance in the game, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with team-mates, the way you push your teammates.
'Everything is important in the beginning of something. When we want to change a lot of things, when people in our club are losing their jobs, we have to put the standards really high.
'Today, the team proved we can leave anyone out of the squad and manage to win if you play together.
Marcus Rashford (left) and Alejandro Garnacho, pictured during an EFL Cup game in September, were dropped by Ruben Amorim for Man United's clash with Man City on Sunday
In their absence, Amad Diallo shone for United and helped deliver a dramatic 2-1 away win
United manager Ruben Amorim confirmed that Rashford and Garnacho had been fit to play
'There are some things that have to change. But it is a new life, it's not a disciplinary thing.
'If it was disciplinary, I would say that here and it will be a bigger problem, but it wasn't that.
'I want to improve my players and you understand that for so long we tried, for example, with Rash. It does not work. Let's continue to do the same thing or try something different?
'So it's as simple as that. We have to improve our standards outside the pitch.
'If they train well and they are better than the other guys inside and outside the pitch, they will play or be on the bench.'
Rashford did not travel to the Etihad Stadium. He watched the game from his home instead.
After the match, he posted a photo of his television screen to Instagram alongside the caption: 'Yesssssssss! Love it lads'.