MARCUS RASHFORD and Alejandro Garnacho were DROPPED from Manchester United’s derby day squad travelling to City.
The forwards were not named in United’s starting 11 or subs bench ahead of the Sunday evening trip to City.
Leading the line for United is Mason Mount, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund with Antony and Joshua Zirkzee benched.
And explaining his decision, United boss Ruben Amorim said: “We try to evaluate everything training performance, game performances, engagement with team-mates, push their team-mates up.
“Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. It is my selection. Simple.
“I don’t want to send a message it is simply an evaluation and they know it. The players are really, really smart.
“Everybody understands my decision and I have to choose. It is simple selection.
“Of course the context is difficult because we have to win games and we have a difficult situation now.
“I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I decide.”
Amorim explained that Rashford and Garnacho were made aware of the decision on the club Whatsapp chat.
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He said: “It is the same all the time and they all understand.
“There is a communication after the last training it’s going to the Whatsapp and then they receive the information.
“But they are alright. They had training this morning and I was there.”
United legend and former captain Roy Keane took aim at Rashford’s “attitude” and suggested the player should LEAVE his boyhood club.
He said: “Quality is not enough. Quality in terms of picking moments in a game and recently [he’s] not been that great.
“It might be an end but let’s not be writing him off he’s just been left out the squad. It doesn’t look good for him.
“I feel a move for Marcus is definitely going to suit the player, a new challenge.
“Whatever your talent at a big club, if your attitude is not quite right, and his certainly hasn’t been recently, I think it’s probably good to part ways.”
Rashford started against Plzen mid-week in the Europa League with Hojlund’s double leading to a 2-1 win.
I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I decide.
Ruben Amorim
But the England international has been on the bench for United’s last two Premier League games.
On his last Prem start, Rashford scored twice as his side beat Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford.
But this will be the first time the attacker has been omitted from the matchday squad altogether.
He has seven goals in 24 appearances this season while Garnacho has eight in 24.
Former United keeper Peter Schmeichel told beIN Sports:”I think it’s an indication of the performances that they’ve delivered.
“I think where he’s been very, very clever is he’s come out and said, ‘I’m going to give everyone a lot of time, I want to see them in games and I’m going to access them then.’
“I’m sure he’s not happy with what he’s seen. I’m a little bit surprised with Garnacho because he’s a young player but with Rashford it’s not been good.
“It’s not been good and he’s started him in games, taken him off, his body language has not been great so I’m surprised of course that they are completely out of the squad but I’m not surprised they’re not in the team, to be honest.”
Josko Gvardiol had opened the scoring on 36 minutes – but United sensationally turned the game around.
Amad Diallo won a penalty on 88 minutes – converted by Bruno Fernandes – before the forward scored the winner just moments later.
