Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. Picture: Martin Rickett
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes Marcus Rashford was unable to see football “the way I see it” before the unwanted England striker was shipped out of Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old Rashford fell dramatically out of favour with the Portuguese boss and spent seven weeks on the sidelines until he was loaned to Premier League rivals Aston Villa during the recent transfer window.
“I couldn't put Marcus to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it," Amorim said on Thursday.
“And sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different.
“I just wish the best to Rashford and to (Aston Villa coach) Unai Emery, and they can connect because he's a very good player."
🚨 Rúben Amorim: “I couldn’t put Marcus Rashford to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 7, 2025
“I just wish the best to Rashford and Unai Emery, and they can connect because he’s a very good player”. pic.twitter.com/G5kV6Jc1E7
Amorim, whose team faced Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, said his focus now is on turning around a wretched season.
"Guys, in the summer ... like we said before, we are fighting for our jobs until the summer," he said.
"So, I am just focused on these games. Thankfully about Marcus he is in Birmingham now with Unai, so you can take these questions to another coach. We are just focused on our players at the moment.”
Rashford has a point to prove after his ugly divorce from United after Amorim did not pick him from mid-December onwards despite the Red Devils' struggles.
Rashford has had a poor season, scoring just four goals in the Premier League, and a paltry seven in total.
But he is eligible to play for Emery's team in the FA Cup because he was not involved for United in their third-round victory against Arsenal.
Villa, who lost Jhon Duran in the transfer window, will be looking to Rashford to help boost their goal output, especially with England international striker Ollie Watkins an injury doubt. Former United captain Gary Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, said the move offers Rashford opportunities in a “far better team at this moment in time".
But he said there was pressure on the forward to perform for Emery after his recent poor form under both Erik Ten Hag and Amorim.
“Unai Emery can't be a problem for Marcus Rashford," he added. "He has to play well for him."
Newcastle are riding the crest of a wave after beating Arsenal 2-0 on Wednesday to progress to the League Cup final 4-0 on aggregate.
The Magpies are hoping to end a 56-year wait for a major trophy at Wembley next month against Liverpool and have their eye on another cup run against a side two divisions below them. However, a trip to St. Andrew's is a potential banana skin. Birmingham are romping clear at the top of League One and are unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions.
AFP
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