Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim threw a surprise selection in the derby, omitting two key players from the squad.
Ruben Amorim is determined to uphold high standards at Manchester United, and is not afraid of taking tough decision.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were both left out of the squad to face City – and United went on to win 2-1 without them.
The circumstances have a small similarity with Jadon Sancho being axed in 2023 under Erik ten Hag – and while there are certainly differences, we are taking a moment to compare them.
Marcus Rashford in substituted on for Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nott...
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What Ruben Amorim said on Garnacho and Rashford
Ruben Amorim addressed his decision on Garnacho and Rashford when asked before kick-off about leaving them out.
He made clear there might have been various factors contributing to his decision, and was unwilling to specific the exact reasons.
Amorim explained: “We try to evaluate everything: training, performance, game performance, engagement with the team-mates, pushing the team-mates up”.
“Everything is on the line when we analyse, try to choose the players. So that is my selection. Simple”.
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He added: “I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I decide.
“There is a communication after the last training. They are alright. They had training this morning and I was there. They trained really well.”
Amorim drew the line under the situation by commenting after the match to say both players had a fresh start.
He explained there is a path back into the team for both players: “Nothing special. Finish one game, start a new week. New week, new life, if they train well they will compete for a place in the team. They are playing because they are talented, we need Rashford and Garnacho.
“Next week if they train well like the others. It’s the same for everyone. They will play or be on the bench. It was not a disciplinary thing. We have to improve out standards inside and outside the pitch. It was a normal week.”
(EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Manager Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Train...
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Jadon Sancho situation
Jadon Sancho’s Manchester United career effectively ended in September 2023 when he was left out against Arsenal.
A training ground situation was cited, with Erik ten Hag simply stating the winger had not been up to scratch.
He said: “On his performance in training we didn’t select him,
“You have to reach the level every day at Manchester United. You can make choices in the front line, so in this game, he wasn’t selected.”
It felt like this may have been a situation that had been bubbling away for some time, and with Sancho overlooked for starts in the first three games of the season beforehand, he was clearly frustrated.
Garnacho and Rashford have both had opportunities, and did not react like Sancho did afterwards.
Rashford and Sancho messages compared
All we hoped after the derby win was that Rashford or Garnacho would not blow the situation up like Jadon Sancho did.
Sancho blasted Ten Hag with a post on social media criticising Ten Hag, writing: “Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training well this week.
“I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!
“All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and am grateful to do so which I know every week is a challenge.
“I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!”
That last line certainly looks off now. Sancho refused to apologise to Erik ten Hag, and never played another Premier League minute under the manager. He is now on loan at Chelsea, due to be sold.
Alejandro Garnacho has been silent since being axed. Sancho would have been better advised to take the same course of action.
Marcus Rashford meanwhile carried on like nothing had happened, posting a message on social media celebrating Manchester United’s victory.
The situations are somewhat similar, yet there is also a key in how they may have been handled.
Ruben Amorim’s strengths include his ability to communicate so well, with his players, and in the media.
It is very possible he gave a better one-to-one explanation to both players, than Erik ten Hag did to Sancho. While his comments to the media were open, yet evasive enough, not to make the mistake of specifically calling out either players as poor trainers – which Ten Hag did with Sancho.
Amorim has already made clear the slate has been wiped clean for both players to come back and impress him.
While Sancho never gave himself a shot to recover, after his impetuous message and subsequent actions.
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