RUBEN AMORIM insists Marcus Rashford is going nowhere and told him: You’re already in the right place for a new challenge.
The Manchester United striker effectively admitted the time had come to move on in a stunning interview after he and Alejandro Garnacho were axed for Sunday’s derby.
Yet manager Amorim says the door is far from slammed on Rashford’s Old Trafford career – and he is convinced there is still a future for him at his boyhood club.
The United chief admitted: “I think he’s right – we have a new challenge here, and it is a tough one, for me the biggest in football.
“We are in a difficult situation and this is one of the biggest clubs in the world, so THIS is a new challenge, a big one.”
If Rashford was to move on, the only serious chance of matching his £350,000-a-week wages would be at Paris St Germain.
Otherwise it would mean a hefty drop to his basic salary…or heading for the footballing wilderness of Saudi Arabia.
Yet for Amorim, it isn’t an issue he will have to address, because he intends to keep Rashford.
He added: “Of course, because this kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.
“I have not spoken to him yet, because yesterday I gave a day off to the lads. But he is our player and ready for the next game.
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“What I want is to take the best stuff of Marcus Rashford as the player, so I don’t talk about the future, I just talk about the present.
“I want the best of each one of them and that is the key point for me, I just want to win and to help the team be better.
“We are better with Marcus, that is simple and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past. That’s all.”
Amorim’s main focus is on tomorrow night’s Carabao Cup trip to Spurs – and he expects a reaction from both Rashford and Garnacho if they feature.
He said: “Of course I do – I expect the best of each player every day so we will see after training.
“We have one more training session, but it’s the same situation of all the other players. If they train well then I have to make a choice. We will see at the end of that.
“My focus is to have all the players in the best that they can be to prepare for each game. There is no ‘if, if, if’ at this kind of club, it is just Tottenham so let’s focus on this game.”
AMAD DIALLO left Manchester City stunned as he turned the derby on its head.
The flying winger won a penalty, converted by Bruno Fernandes, in the dying embers to level it up.
But the best was yet to come as Amad flicked past an onrushing Ederson before expertly slotting in a dramatic winner from a tight angle deep into injury time.
Here’s how SunSport’s Neil Custis rated the Man Utd players…
Andre Onana – 6
He just does not fill you with confidence. Does not command his area and as we found out midweek in Plzen, his distribution from the back is a major plus for the opposition.
Wasn’t tested that much however.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Looking a calmer presence under Amorim than he did before when he seemed to want to live up to his nickname from his Ajax days of ‘The Butcher of Amsterdam’.
Great through ball at the end to pick out Amad’s run for the winner.
Harry Maguire – 8
Had a great battle with Erling Haaland which the United man won.
The right call to bring the former captain in for such a big game. Looks like he suits the position in the centre of that back three.
Matthijs de Ligt 78′ – 7
A decent enough performance. Looked more comfortable alongside Maguire than other centre-back partners.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Mistimed his jump to be beaten to the ball by Josko Gvardiol for the City opener. Did not create enough going forward from his wing-back role.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Missed a big chance after being put through by Hojlund and clipping the ball wide.
But when the moment comes from the penalty spot he is a cool head in the hottest of atmospheres sending Ederson the wrong way to equalise
Manuel Ugarte – 7
Sat in front of the back four and negated much of what Phil Foden was trying to do for the home side.
Noussair Mazraoui 78′ – 8
The best of the summer buys. Used as the right wing back on this occasion and is able to adjust to whatever is asked of him. One of United’s best performers on the day.
Mason Mount 13′ – 6
Looked very close to tears when he had to come off after early in the game. He is just getting no luck whatsoever with injuries and has not had a decent run since joining the club.
Amad Diallo 90′ – 9
The greatest moment of his career so far with a memorable derby winner. A brilliant run first of all to meet Martinez’ pass, he then clipped the ball past Ederson and while it was a scuffed finish he got it on target.
Had almost grabbed an equaliser with a flick header before that which was well saved by Ederson.
Then was alert to Nunes back pass to win the penalty that did lead to United drawing level.
Rasmus Hojlund 78′ – 6
Most we saw of him was a head to head confrontation with Walker when the City player slumped to the ground and a little fall of his own when he tried to win a pen.
But then he provided a great through ball for Fernandes which should have brought the equaliser.
Subs
Kobbie Mainoo 13′ – 6
Did a solid job as he came on in a deeper role than Mount and Fernandes moved forward
Joshua Zirkzee 78′ – 6
Not the man who is going to come on and change a game, but he did well to hold onto possession in the closing seconds.
Antony 78′ – 6
Came on to try and make a difference but is lacking the confidence which a lack of starts brings.
Leny Yoro 78′ – 6
Continues to ease himself back to full fitness after that summer injury.
Victor Lindelof 90′ – 6
No time to have any influence on the game.
