Ruben Amorim has not shied away from making difficult decisions as Manchester United head coach.
Since his arrival in November, Ruben Amorim hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts at Manchester United but his sheer honesty and transparency with fans has been refreshing.
The Portuguese head coach, who celebrated his 40th birthday last week, might be smiley on the outside, but Amorim’s dressing room outburst at Old Trafford proves he has a ruthless side too.
Amorim’s selection policy at United has been blunt but simple – train well and you will be considered to start. Amorim was critical of Rashford in training and the 27-year-old ended up missing 11 consecutive games.
Just a few months ago, Amorim was excited to work with Rashford, but things didn’t work out and now Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan.
Ruben Amorim has taken a Marcus Rashford ‘gamble’
Ineos backed Amorim over Rashford after the United boss dropped him from the Manchester derby back in December.
There have been concerns over Rashford’s attitude for some years now, and Amorim demanded 100 percent from all of his players. Ultimately, his move to Villa turned out to be the best solution for all parties.
But pundit Paul Merson believes Amorim’s decision on Marcus Rashford has been “mind-blowing” and put his job at risk.
Via Sky Sports, Merson said: “The manager is running out of ideas at the moment. He’s struggling badly.
“What he’s done with the Rashford situation is mind-blowing. Mind-blowing. His job is on the line at this rate. If Rashford gets ten goals in ten games – and Man Utd carry on the way they’re playing, then the board will be asking the question: what are you doing?
On Rashford, Merson continued: “He’s having an unbelievable opportunity, he’s going to one of the top teams in the Premier League. Great club, great support.
“The one trick we’re all missing here is he has to take his head with him. Nothing changes. It’s a big gamble, a huge gamble for Amorim as well.”
Marcus Rashford views Aston Villa as ‘short term’ move
Ahead of the deal being finalised on Sunday evening, Fabrizio Romano revealed there is a £40m buy option attached to Rashford’s loan.
It is not mandatory, but Villa will have the option to sign Rashford in the summer if he impresses at Villa Park.
But in Rashford’s first Villa interview, he seemed to view his loan spell as a short-term deal only.
Rashford said: “Obviously it’s only short-term I’m here, so I want to make the most of my time here”.
When Villa travel to Old Trafford for the final Premier League game of the season, Rashford cannot face United due to parent club rules. By then, he may well know if he is returning to Manchester or not.
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