“My selection” – Ruben Amorim offers blunt explanation after dropping Man United duo from Derby squad | OneFootball

Manchester United manager Rubem Amorim was inquired about his shocking decision to drop Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford from the matchday squad for the Derby clash against Manchester City.

The English striker and the Argentine winger were considered regular starters at the club during Erik ten Hag’s reign. But on Sunday, they weren’t only omitted from the starting XI, but their names were nowhere to be seen on the 20-man matchday squad.

This decision obviously sent shockwaves among supporters and observers alike. According to Manchester Evening News, the duo trained regularly on Sunday morning before their unforeseen omission.

Ahead of the Derby showdown, the duo’s absence was normally the first question that Amorim had to answer, and his reply confirmed that neither man is suffering from a physical problem. The 39-year-old made it clear he dropped Garnacho for Rashford for a purely tactical decision.

“They trained well. But it’s just a matter of selection,” he told Sky Sports in his pre-match interview.

“We tried to evaluate everything. Training, performance, game performance, engagement with the teammates, push the teammates up. Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. So, my selection. Simple.”

Ruben Amorim drops Marcus Rashford & Alejandro Garnacho from Derby squad

Marcus Rashford looking on (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Many felt that the new manager is looking to impose his will by dropping two big names ahead of a crucial match. However, Amorim denies any intention of making a statement.

“I don’t want to send a message, it is simply evaluation and they know it. The players are really, really smart and so everybody understands my decision and I have to choose. It’s just simple selection.”

It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the team’s campaign in general, and the players in question in particular. It’s worth mentioning that Rashford has been lately linked with an exit amidst growing concerns over his form and lifestyle.