Ruben Amorim has addressed the exclusion of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United’s squad for the second consecutive match against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final. The Portuguese manager emphasized that Rashford’s absence was not related to his recent interview, where he expressed a desire for a “new challenge” after two decades at the club.

Amorim explained his selection process, stating, “I chose the players that I feel are ready to cope with the demands of playing a strong game.” He highlighted that his decisions are based on the players’ readiness and not solely on individual circumstances.

When questioned about Rashford’s attitude in training, Amorim clarified that the standards he expects apply to all players, not just the 27-year-old. “It’s always the same with every player, not just Marcus. So, in the end, I had to make a selection and did it,” he said.

While Amorim expressed a desire to keep Rashford at the club, reports suggest that Manchester United may consider selling him for around £40 million.

In contrast, Alejandro Garnacho, who was also left out previously, has returned to the squad and impressed the manager with his training efforts. Amorim noted, “He’s really fast. He is good one against one, and we need these kinds of abilities from Garnacho,” indicating that the young forward could be a valuable asset moving forward.