Ruben Amorim has brought in winds of change at Manchester United and as with any change, most of it has been uncomfortable.
He has had to pioneer that change while effectively playing a game every three days, dealing with player upheaval, tactical change, and intense scrutiny.
When change is made, some players benefit while others stand to lose a lot and reputed journalist Henry Winter has just said one player’s time is up.
He would be the highest-profile casualty at the club and one that would send shockwaves through Old Trafford.
Henry Winter declares Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd career over
Henry Winter was the journalist who spoke to Marcus Rashford for that now-infamous interview where Rashford asked for a new challenge in his career.
Things have snowballed since then with a transfer saga that has simultaneously taken intense turns but led to nowhere, and Amorim being brutally honest about him.
At the end of it all, Rashford remains at the club and with the January window inching towards a closure, faces the prospect of an uncomfortable reunion with the club.
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Winter has now said that that is unlikely to happen, with the player’s career at United ‘clearly over’, quite a bold proclamation from a journalist who’s proven to have a direct line to Rashford.
Winter said: “Marcus Rashford’s career is clearly away from Manchester United. That’s been clear for a couple of months. So a move, initially on loan, next week makes sense. Staying on would continue the unwelcome sideshow/tension. Rashford has to go.
“Good luck for the future etc, thanks for the opportunity/memories etc, and move on.”
Winter implies Dan Ashworth could have changed the situation
It seems like the effects of Dan Ashworth’s departure from Man Utd are still being felt at Old Trafford if Henry Winter is to be believed.
Ashworth didn’t seem to align with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co at any issue and if Amorim’s handling of Rashford is any indication, Winter is probably correct in his theory.
He says that Rashford had a “respect and relationship” with Ashworth, who could have been a mediator between the two parties but his departure has made Amorim’s word law.
Winter said: “Would Dan Ashworth’s mediating presence have made a difference? Who knows? There was respect and relationship there.
“Everyone knows the trick to getting the best out of Rashford on the field is making him feel involved and loved and getting him closer to the goal; it’s psychological and tactical. Anyway, Ashworth’s gone. Amorim’s in charge.”
While Ashworth might well have made a difference, it is inevitable that the same issue would have cropped up at a later time, as Andy Mitten earlier claimed multiple Man Utd managers have had problems with Rashford.
It’s clear that it’s best for all parties to go their separate ways.
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