Marcus Rashford ‘absent from Man Utd squad’ vs Spurs as Alejandro Garnacho decision made | Football | Sport
Marcus Rashford has reportedly not travelled with the Manchester United squad ahead of their Carabao Cup clash at Tottenham tomorrow. Having been omitted by new manager Ruben Amorim for the win at derby rivals Man City on Sunday, the forward was ordered to train at Carrington that morning alongside Alejandro Garnacho.
The Argentinian was also left out of the squad to go to Etihad, but has been recalled after reportedly being seen at the airport car park and then Stockport Station.
Rashford reportedly missed training on Monday through illness, before giving a bombshell interview to football journalist Henry Winter 24 hours later.
He claimed he was ready to leave the club and would have “no hard feelings” once he departed, throwing huge doubt over his future. And now according to the Manchester Evening News, there was no sign of the star as players congregated for the trip to London.
After United’s dramatic 2-1 win over the champions, Amorim explained that neither Rashford or Garnacho were being punished and remained available for selection. “It is important to say why, it was not a disciplinary thing,” said the Portuguese boss.
“Next week, next game new life, they are fighting for their places. But for me it is important the performance in training, the performance in games, the way you dress, the way you eat, they way you engage with your teammates, the way you push your team-mates.
“We have to put the standards really high. For that, they have to fight for their place in the team and today the team we proved we can leave anyone outside the squad and manage to win if you play together.”
United have not issued any club statement over Rashford’s fitness, suggesting a decision not to pick him isn’t enforced. His fall from grace under Erik ten Hag‘s successor has been rapid, considering he scored just moments into the 39-year-old’s first game in charge at Ipswich.
He followed that up with a brace in the 4-0 win over Everton. But he’s started just one game since, at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League last Thursday, and was hauled off before the hour mark.
Overall, 22 United players reportedly made the trip to the capital. The matchday squad from Sunday have all been retained, with keeper Tom Heaton and defender Jonny Evans also travelling.
Amorim is expected to take the clash seriously, being just four games away from securing his first silverware with the Red Devils. Their clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be the last of the four quarter-finals to take place.
