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Former Manchester United manager Rene Meulensteen has questioned Ruben Amorim’s decision to publicly criticize in-demand striker Marcus Rashford.
Rashford has expressed his desire for a “fresh start” away from Old Trafford and has not played a single minute in United’s last 11 games as he attempts to make the switch from his boyhood club.
His relationship with Amorim appears to have soured further after the Portuguese last night explained why Rashford was not in the squad for the 1-0 win against Fulham.
Speaking after the game at Craven Cottage, Amorim said: “It’s always the same reason. The reason is training, the way I see what a football player should do. In training, in life, every day, every detail. So if things don’t change, I won’t change.”
That’s three away points for the Reds 🔴👊#MUFC || #FULMUN
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Amorim would rather play the 63-year-old than Rashford
Amorim said the situation would remain the same if Rashford’s attitude did not improve and claimed he would rather have his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital on the bench than the England international.
“It’s the same situation for every player,” Amorim said. “If you give your maximum, if you do the right things…we can use every player. You can see it today on the bench – we lack a bit of rhythm to get going, to change the game, to move some pieces, but I prefer it that way.
“I’ll put Vital (on the bench) before I put a player who doesn’t give his maximum every day so I won’t change that.”
The situation shows no signs of resolution, but Meulensteen, who helped Sir Alex Ferguson win three Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008 as United’s first-team manager, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s never a good thing to point out personal problems with the player in public.
“It reminds me of the (Erik) Ten Hag vs. (Jadon) Sancho situation. There are certain things in the world of football that I think you have to keep in mind, and this is one of those things with Rashford.
“It doesn’t do anyone any favors. Not the players. Not the manager and not the club.
“The comment will carry a lot of weight and could go the wrong way.”
Meulensteen recommends that Amorim refrain from publishing covers
This is not the first time Amorim’s comments have made headlines. Last week, after the 3-1 defeat by Brighton, he said United’s current squad “could be the worst in the club’s history” before backtracking and insisting he was talking about himself.
And Meulensteen thinks he may have to rein in his honesty down the line.
He said: “In general, Ruben Amorim is a very straightforward guy, a very honest guy and he speaks his mind.
“I don’t necessarily think he fully grasps the enormity of the task before him.”
On Rashford, he added: “If I were Rashford, I would try to see if I could get that transfer over the line, no matter what.
“That would be the best for all parties. It would be good for Rashford to rediscover himself in a new league.”
