The recent situation surrounding Marcus Rashford and his absence from Manchester United’s matchday squad for their 2-1 win over Manchester City has sparked attention, especially following comments made by his brother, Dwaine Maynard.
Rashford, alongside Alejandro Garnacho, was not included in the squad for the important Manchester derby, which raised questions about the reason behind their omission. Manager Ruben Amorim clarified that the decision was not due to any disciplinary issues, emphasizing that the exclusion was instead based on the need to maintain high standards within the team. Amorim stressed the importance of every aspect of a player’s conduct, from their performance in training and matches to their behavior off the field, including how they dress, eat, and interact with teammates. This was framed within a broader context of changing the team’s culture and raising expectations as part of an ongoing transformation under Amorim’s management.
After the match, Rashford posted a celebratory message on Instagram, congratulating his teammates on the victory, but he did not address the situation surrounding his omission from the squad. His caption, “Yesssssssss! Love it lads,” seemed to focus solely on the team’s success, which led to further speculation. Garnacho, who was also absent, has yet to comment publicly on the matter.
In response to Rashford’s post, his brother Dwaine Maynard, who also serves as his agent, shared a message on Instagram supporting his sibling’s stance. Maynard commented, “As you say, all you want is United to win. Regardless of anything else.” This statement appeared to reinforce that Rashford’s priority remains with the team, irrespective of personal circumstances.
As for Rashford’s potential involvement in Manchester United’s upcoming fixtures, particularly their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham, it remains unclear whether he will return to the squad. This is especially uncertain given that Rashford was substituted early (59 minutes) in their recent Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen, which might suggest he was already not fully fit or in Amorim’s immediate plans for the City game.