Amorim Prefers 63-Year-Old Goalkeeping Coach Over Rashford Due to Work Ethic Concerns
Amorim: Rashford's Attitude Not Meeting Expectations
- Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has stirred controversy
- Amorim was clear about his reasoning, stating that Rashford’s failure to demonstrate the necessary effort in training was the main factor
- Sources close to Rashford have denied any issues with Amorim
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has stirred controversy by suggesting that he would rather select the club’s 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, over Marcus Rashford for matchday squads due to a perceived lack of effort from the England forward.
Rashford, who has been absent from United’s matchday squads for six weeks, was again left out of the team for Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League victory at Fulham. With the transfer window closing on February 3, questions are mounting about Rashford’s future at the club.
Amorim was clear about his reasoning, stating that Rashford’s failure to demonstrate the necessary effort in training was the main factor behind his exclusion. “It’s always the same reason – training, and the way I believe a footballer should approach life,” Amorim explained. “If things don’t change, I will not change. I have a clear approach: if a player gives their maximum every day, they will play. But if not, they won’t be selected.”
He added, “You can see on the bench that we lack pace, but I’d rather have Jorge Vital on the bench than a player who doesn’t give 100% every day.”
Sources close to Rashford have denied any issues with Amorim, insisting that the 27-year-old forward remains willing to play for the club. Meanwhile, Rashford’s hopes of moving to AC Milan were dashed when they signed Kyle Walker instead, and a potential loan to Barcelona is complicated by the need for several players to depart the club.
Commenting on Amorim’s blunt approach, former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given said on BBC’s Match of the Day: “The fans aren’t stupid. They can see when players aren’t putting in enough effort, and Amorim is being honest. If you don’t train hard, you won’t be in the team.”
Ex-Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger added, “Amorim is setting a strong example, but this could create tension with the players. If he continues to be harsh, it may hurt relationships with them.”
Amorim, who has faced a tough start to his Manchester United tenure, celebrated his 40th birthday with a rare victory. Despite a less-than-convincing performance at Fulham, the 1-0 win, courtesy of Lisandro Martinez’s late goal, marked just the fourth Premier League victory under his management since he took over in November.
