Marcus Rashford scored the first goal of Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United
Marcus Rashford scored the first goal of Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim says he wants to keep Marcus Rashford and that there is no greater challenge for the wantaway England striker than at Manchester United.
Rashford signalled his intention to leave United on Tuesday when he admitted publicly for the first time in an interview that he is “ready for a new challenge and the next steps” away from Old Trafford.
Asked if he wants Rashford to stay, Amorim said: “Of course, because this kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.
“I think he’s right, we have here a new challenge, it’s a tough one. For me it’s the biggest in football because we are in a difficult situation and this is one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“So this is really a new challenge and the biggest one and I hope all my players are ready for this new challenge.”
Amorim said he had not yet spoken to Rashford about the situation. But the head coach revealed the 27-year-old and Alejandro Garnacho, both of whom were dropped for Sunday’s 2-1 derby win over Manchester City, would be back in contention for selection for the Carabao Cup quarter-final at Tottenham on Thursday.
Rashford and the rest of the squad were off on Tuesday, when the unsettled forward gave his explosive interview. Rashford had not trained on Monday because of illness. He and Garnacho were dropped against City because Amorim was unhappy with what they were offering on and off the pitch.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford (right) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Portman Road, Ipswich. Picture date: Sunday November 24, 2024
Marcus Rashford’s time under new head coach got off to a flyer but has since hit the rocks
“We have one more training, but it’s the same situation of all the other players - if they train well then I have to make a choice,” Amorim said. “We will see at the end of training.”
Amorim claims United are better with Rashford at his best. “I spoke with a lot of players individually and during training - what I want is to take the best stuff of Marcus Rashford as with the other players so I don’t talk about the future, I just talk about the present,” he said.
“I want the best of each one of them and that is the key point for me. I just want to win and to help the team to be better. We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels that he has shown in the past. And that’s all.
Amorim said he did not expect Rashford’s revelations to have any impact on the team. “I think they are more simple than that,” he said. “They focus on their job, everyone, all of the players. I was a player and we were a little bit selfish so they are focused on their job to win a place in the team. I don’t think it’s even an impact in the team.
He also expects a reaction from Rashford and Garnacho to being dropped.
“Of course, I expect the best of each player every day so we will see after training,” he said.
Asked if he would want a player in his team who wants to leave, Amorim added: “This is in the future, my focus is to have all the players in the best that they can be to prepare for each game.
“We are talking about if, if, if. There is no if at this kind of club, it is just Tottenham and let’s focus on this game.”
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