Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has emphasized that Marcus Rashford “has to change” before being considered for selection again. The 27-year-old forward has not featured for the club in seven weeks and recently expressed his desire for a “new challenge.”
Rashford was once again omitted from United’s squad for Thursday’s Europa League match against FCSB in Bucharest.
“Imagine a talent like Rashford; our team should be so much better with him — but he has to change,” Amorim stated during a press conference on Wednesday.
“If he changes, we are more than welcome [to include him]—and we need it. But in this moment, we have to set some standards. We are waiting for Rashford, if he wants it really bad.”
Amorim dismissed suggestions that the situation was personal.
“You (the media) want to make it personal, I have nothing against Marcus, but I have to make the same rules for everybody,” he explained. “We need goals, we need [players who can go] one against one, we need threat in the final third.”
Despite training at Carrington on Wednesday, Rashford was not included in the 21-man Europa League squad, fueling speculation about a potential transfer before the window closes on Monday.
Following United’s narrow 1-0 win over Fulham, Amorim made a strong statement about maintaining team standards:
“I would prefer to select my 63-year-old goalkeeping coach rather than play someone who did not meet those standards.”
Rashford, who debuted for the club in 2016, has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the senior team.
“The situation is the same for every player,” Amorim reiterated. “I will not put [in] any player that doesn’t give the maximum. When I feel it is the right moment, I will put in any player to play. We are a better team with Rashford, that is clear, but until the right moment I will not change my mind.”