Ruben Amorim ‘not making a point’ by leaving Marcus Rashford on bench | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim deflected questions about Marcus Rashford after leaving him on the bench on his return to the Manchester United matchday squad in Monday night’s 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle.

Rashford was named in a squad for the first time since December 12, having missed four games, but did not get off the bench, even as a poor United side struggled to find ways to threaten Martin Dubravka’s goal after falling behind to early strikes from Alexander Isak and Joelinton.

When Amorim first dropped Rashford, for the Manchester derby win over City on December 15, he had insisted he wanted to see more from the 27-year-old and appeared to question his professionalism, and Rashford subsequently gave an interview saying he was “ready for a new challenge”.

With Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte suspended on Monday night, Rashford returned among the substitutes but was not called upon.

That was despite Joshua Zirkzee, who started in Rashford’s preferred position on the left side of attack, being hooked barely half-an- hour into the game in favour of Kobbie Mainoo to ironic cheers from the Old Trafford crowd.

Asked about his decision not to use Rashford, Amorim said: “I think about the team. You think a lot about Marcus. I think about the team. When I’m there I’m not making a point. I just want to win the game.

“And you can feel it – I’m talking about the idea and the fight for relegation. Do I want to make a point during a game? No, I just want to win the game.”

Prior to the game, Amorim had told Sky Sports the decision to recall Rashford to the squad was down to “selection”.

“We have lots of players outside and so he’s in,” he said. “Like I said, every week I choose my players. He was there to be chosen and this time he is here.”