Ruben Amorim has let slip a vital crumb of information regarding why Marcus Rashford has been frozen out at Manchester United.
The misfiring forward has been left out of four consecutive matchday squads by Amorim, who has said little other than Rashford's omission is 'his decision' based on what he has seen in training.
Rashford was once again left out on Boxing Day as United slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Wolves at Molineux. The 13-time Premier League winners have now lost three matches in a row - failing to score in their last two - but there is still no space for the player who racked up 30 goals in 2022/23.
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Fans have been left to wonder whether a falling-out between player and manager, or Rashford's recent comments about being 'ready for a new challenge' are the true reasons behind the 27-year-old's recent absence.
It was generally assumed that if a lack of effort in training is to blame, Rashford would surely have upped the intensity to try and make things work at his boyhood club. But Amorim's response was telling when asked whether the Red Devils academy product had shown him anything different at Carrington since being dropped.
He told Prime Video: "If he is not here, you can make your [own] mind up."
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Amorim added: "It is always going to be the same reason. We have to be the same professionals, the same guys whether we win or lose. Losing, I have to be stronger. So I will continue with my idea until the end."
Rashford is expected to leave Old Trafford next month, although his massive wages could be a stumbling block for any clubs weighing up a transfer offer. It remians to be seen whether he will even be given the chance to say farewell to supporters before the window swings open.
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United's last remaining game of 2024 will come at home to Newcastle on Monday. Subsequent tricky ties against Liverpool and Arsenal put Amorim at risk of further misery unless he can inspire a rapid improvement.
Bruno Fernandes left his team-mates high and dry at Molineux by picking up a second booking moments into the second half. From there, Matheus Cunha's corner sailed straight into the net over Andre Onana and Hwang Hee-chan tapped in at the death to leave United 14th in the table, one game before the season's halfway mark.
