The situation surrounding Marcus Rashford’s exclusion from Manchester United’s matchday squad for their 2-1 victory over Manchester City has sparked attention, especially after Rashford’s brother, Dwaine Maynard, publicly addressed the matter. The incident occurred when Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were both left out of the squad by manager Ruben Amorim for the match at the Etihad Stadium, despite their usual involvement.
Amorim explained that their absences were not due to disciplinary issues but rather a reflection of the club’s high standards and a desire to push the team to improve in all aspects. Amorim stressed the importance of players meeting specific criteria: not just their performance in training and matches but also their overall behavior, including how they dress, eat, and engage with teammates. This approach reflects the early stages of Amorim’s managerial vision, where he aims to instill a culture of discipline and teamwork as part of a broader transformation at the club.
In response to the match, Rashford posted an Instagram story celebrating United’s dramatic comeback win, where Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo scored late goals. His post, however, did not address his absence or any potential issues, simply congratulating his teammates with the caption: “Yesssssssss! Love it lads.” Garnacho has not commented on the situation yet.
Dwaine Maynard, who is also Marcus Rashford’s agent, then broke his silence in an Instagram comment. In response to Rashford’s post, Maynard wrote, “As you say, all you want is United to win. Regardless of anything else.” This statement reinforces the idea that Rashford remains focused on the team’s success, despite being left out.
As of now, it remains unclear whether Rashford and Garnacho will be available for Manchester United’s next match, which is a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham. However, it’s worth noting that Rashford may not have featured against Manchester City anyway, after being substituted early (in the 59th minute) during their previous Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen.
The situation appears to be part of a broader narrative about shifting dynamics at Manchester United under Amorim, with emphasis on discipline and high standards as the club aims for a cultural overhaul.