Ruben Amorim explains Marcus Rashford’s absence against Tottenham as wantaway star is left out of Man United squad for second straight game

Ruben Amorim has explained why Marcus Rashford was excluded from Man United’s squad for the second time in a row against Tottenham.

The Red Devils travel to north London to face Ange Postecoglou’s side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Thursday.

The Portuguese manager insisted that United’s highest earner was not excluded because of his bombshell interview on Monday, where he revealed that he is ready for a ‘new challenge’ away from United after two decades at the club.

‘Selection. I chose the players that I feel are ready to cope with the demands of playing a strong game,’ Amorim told Sky Sports.

‘So, I try to visualise all week and then chose my players.’

When asked whether Rashford was omitted because of his attitude around the training ground, Amorim argued that the standards he demands are synonymous across his squad, and not solely pertinent to the 27-year-old star.

‘It’s always the same with every player, not just Marcus. So, in the end, I have to make a selection and did it,’ he said.

Amorim refused to close the door on Rashford’s career on Wednesday by insisting he wants to keep the winger in the future, but Mail Sport have previously revealed the club would be willing to sanction a sale for a fee in the region of £40m. 

Alejandro Garnacho, who was also omitted from Amorim’s squad against the champions on Sunday, has returned to action on the bench. The manager hailed his efforts in training since the weekend.

‘Like the others, he’s prepared to play the game. I really like the way he trained,’ Amorim said.

‘So it’s one more option for the offense. he’s really fast. He is good one against one, and we need these kind of abilities from Garnacho.’