Rio Ferdinand has shared why he believes Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were dropped for Sunday’s Manchester derby by new Man United boss Ruben Amorim.
Two of the Red Devils star player were sensationally dropped by the Portuguese manager ahead of the Etihad clash, with space for neither forward in either the starting XI or the bench.
Fielding questions into the snub ahead of the match, Amorim stressed that it was just ‘simple selection’ and that, more cryptically, that he ‘pays attention to everything: the way you eat, the way you put on your clothes to go to the game. Everything’.
Amorim’s cutthroat decision was ultimately vindicated on the pitch, with United coming from behind to swipe all three points from their crisis-struck crosstown rivals.
Captain Bruno Fernandes helped mount his side’s late comeback after Josko Gvardiol netted in the second-half to put Man City ahead, before Amad Diallo‘s stunning late winner helped secure the vital win.
But Ferdinand has suggested that to get back into the squad, both Rashford and Garnacho may have to raise their standards in all aspects, hinting that Amorim may have ‘heard or (seen) something he was unhappy with’ off the pitch.
There was no space Marcus Rashford not Alejandro Garnacho in Man United’s derby clash
New head coach Ruben Amorim made the cutthroat decision but was not specific about cause
Man United did not seem miss either player as Amad Diallo rose to the occasion to help the side secure all three points against crosstown rivals City
‘This manager doesn’t seem to be the type of guy that will let stuff side,’ the Man United legend said on his Rio Presents podcast on Tuesday. ‘He seems to be a very honest and straightforward guy. We saw Erik ten Hag do this early, going against the players.
But in time, the consistency wasn’t there across the board with other players. The squad then starts picking holes in that. I’d like to think it’s different with Amorim, he seems very direct, ‘you’re not playing – that’s it and that’s why’.
‘I think in the training ground, he’s instructed all of his staff to keep their eyes open about everything. How do these players interact with all members of staff? How are they when I’m not in the room? He seems like a man of detail.
‘He wants a harmonious environment. A proper culture of respect. I think he’s seen or heard a couple of things that he isn’t quite happy with. There’s something not related to football that I think has happened. They probably flippantly did not say hello to someone or have not been as warm to people.
‘These little one-per-centers add up to building a culture to win. If you let these go, the culture to win takes even longer. Every single detail, ‘I don’t like that, nail it’. Punctuality, respect for team-mates, etc.’
Ferdinand admitted that he was ‘not privy to’ things that went on at Carrington, but suggested that Amorim’s comments around behaviour unrelated to performance hinted at ‘something (happening) off the pitch’.
‘And by the way, I love it,’ the pundit added.
After the final whistle, Amorim underscored his belief that neither player should see the snubbing as fixed, but merely an opportunity to fit even harder for their spot in his team.
Rio Ferdinand said that he was impressed by Amorim’s call to have eyes everywhere when considering his selection
The Portuguese head coach has inisted that the door isn’t close to either player after the snub
Rashford will be keen to kick on and recapture his strongest form under the 39-year-old
‘It is important to say why. It was not a disciplinary thing – next week, next game, new life,’ he explained after the final whistle.
‘They are fighting for the places, but for me it’s important for me the performance in training, the performance in game, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with the team-mates, the way you push your team-mates.
‘Everything is important in our context in the beginning of changing a lot of things, when people in our club are losing their jobs, we have to put the standards really high.
‘For that, they have to fight for the place in the team and today the team proved that we can leave anyone outside the squad. You can manage to win if we play together.’
Mail Sport revealed on Tuesday evening that the day after the derby, Rashford was sent home from training after being deemed by a club doctor to have a high temperature.
When back at Carrington, Rashford in particular will be keen to kick on and prove himself under the new head coach in Manchester, after sharing that he has turned his attention to his next move – away from his boyhood club.
In a bombshell interview on Tuesday evening, the 27-year-old spoke openly about leaving Old Trafford – where he has played for two decades – as a case of ‘when’, not ‘if’.
‘For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps,’ the 27-year-old told Henry Winter in a conversation published to social media site X. ‘When I leave, it’s going to be “no hard feelings”. You’re not going to have any cpmments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person.’
After two decades at the club, Rashford seems to be considering leaving his boyhood team
Doubling down on his apparent view that he will at some point move on from the club, Rashford added: ‘When I leave, I’ll make a statement and it will be from me.’
The England international has in recent seasons been linked with a potential move abroad, with Paris Saint-Germain particularly ardent suitors.
Rashford will be keen to recapture his blistering 2022-23 season form, which has dipped somewhat of late.
But the player was quick to show his new manager that his game is still laced with quality, when he scored the first goal of the Amorim era last month against Ipswich after just 80 seconds.