RUBEN AMORIM has offered a blunt explanation for why Marcus Rashford continues to sit on the sidelines.
Rashford, 27, has not featured in Manchester United’s last nine matches in all competitions.
Following today’s 3-1 home defeat to Brighton, Amorim was asked if he felt “disappointed or let down” that Rashford was not there to “help the team”.
After the Portuguese initially said “no” he was further pressed, given that he has previously stated that Rashford was being left out for training reasons.
Amorim, 39, clapped and took a breath, before answering: “Guys. It is his choice [not to play].
“I don’t want to focus on this bad moment because in the games we lost, Rashford is not here.
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“I don’t want to put this moment on Rashford.
“Rashford is out of this moment because he is not playing.
“No matter what, I am not going to put out a player I don’t believe is the best for the team.”
Rashford has not featured since Man Utd’s 2-1 Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen on December 12.
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He has since made the bench just once, and was left as an unused sub during the 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle.
The forward scored twice in Amorim’s first Premier League game in charge at Old Trafford, during a 4-0 win over Everton.
After being left out of the Manchester derby, Rashford revealed in an interview that he is ready for a “new challenge”.
The forward has drawn interest from the likes of AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund this month.
But it will be difficult for Man Utd to agree a deal, given that Rashford’s weekly salary exceeds £300,000.
Closer to home, Tottenham are believed to be considering a loan swoop.
Amorim meanwhile hinted that he needs to bring some players in himself – branding his side the “worst Man United team in history”.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
