Results have always dictated the atmosphere. Had Man United lost yesterday’s derby, Ruben Amorim would have been a Portuguese coach with the worst Premier League start and just a copy of Erik ten Hag, while his moves would have been under the spotlight and eventually proclaimed scandalous. Amorim’s miracle! United’s sensational late comeback seals the win against CityHowever, after a win, everything is easier, and – for the public – each decision is called for. That’s why Amorim is probably the biggest winner of the Manchester derby, while the biggest losers – excluding the blue part of the city – have to be Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.The Portuguese understood that he had to burn all the bridges to put things in order the way he wanted and left the two out of the squad. And it paid him off so much that he could leave yesterday’s match-winner, Amad Diallo, out of the team for the next game, and no one would react. Ruben Amorim has spoken about why Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford were left out.🗣️”When people in our club are losing their jobs, we have to put the standards really high.”#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/R7dO3msPD3— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 16, 2024 Amorim’s explanation of the omission of the Englishman and Argentinian was simple.”Selection. We try to evaluate everything: training, performance, game performance, engagement with the team-mates, pushing the team-mates up. Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. I don’t want to send a message. It’s simply an evaluation, and they know it. I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put on your clothes to go the game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I have to decide,” United’s gaffer told Sky Sports after the match.Amorim’s January rebuild: Six ‘untouchables’ and several sellable surprisesHe also reassured the public that the duo was not permanently crossed out.”I want Marcus Rashford and Garnacho to come back stronger, take the message that they’ve been given this morning by going training at the training ground on a Sunday when no one else is there, I want them to take this in the right spirit and become the very best players for Manchester United,” Amorim claimed.United in a mission to sell RashfordHowever, as controversial as it is, the tactician’s decision heated up stories of Rashford and Garnacho’s departures. After all, United must sell, and the two forwards could bring fair profit. Still, the January transfer window starts in two weeks, and the Red Devils will play four games in the meantime. Those matches and Marcus and Alejandro’s involvement and role could tell whether they’ll stay or their days at Old Trafford are numbered.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 16SaturdayArsenal – Everton 0-0Liverpool – Fulham 2-2 (0-1)/Gakpo 47, Jota 86 – Pereira 11, Muniz 76/Newcastle – Leicester 4-0 (1-0)/Murphy 30,60, Bruno 48, Isak 50/Wolverhampton – Ipswich 1-2 (0-1)/Cunha 72 – Doherty 15 og, Taylor 90+3/Nott. Forest – Aston Villa 2-1 (0-0)/Milenkovic 87, Elanga, 90+3 – Duran 63/SundayBrighton – Crystal Palace 1-3 (0-2)/Guehi 87 og – Chalobah 27, Sarr 33, 82/Manchester City – Manchester United 1-2 (1-0)/Gvardiol 36 – Bruno 88 pen, Diallo 90/Chelsea – Brentford 2-1 (1-0)/Cucurella 43, Jackson 80 – Mbeumo 90/Southampton – Tottenham 0-5 (0-5)/Maddison 1, 45+4, Son 12, Kulusevski 14, Sarr 25/Monday23:00: (1.75) Bournemouth (3.70) West Ham (4.70)***odds are subject to change***
