- Manchester United coach Amorim dismissed the possibility of Rashford returning to United, suggesting the club has already moved on
- Rashford featured in Amorim’s first six matches but was dropped before the Manchester derby in mid-December
- Rashford is set to make his debut for Villa in an FA Cup clash on Sunday, with a £40 million option to make the deal permanent
Manchester United’s decision to let Marcus Rashford leave on loan to Aston Villa has sparked widespread debate, but manager Ruben Amorim has now provided clarity on the situation.
The Portuguese coach admitted that Rashford struggled to adapt to his tactical demands, leading to the decision to part ways, at least temporarily.
Rashford, 27, had initially been part of Amorim’s plans, featuring in his first six matches in charge. However, his absence from the squad in the Manchester derby in mid-December signalled that all was not well.
The forward did not play for United again after their Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen on December 12, spending seven weeks on the sidelines before sealing a move to Aston Villa in the final days of the transfer window. His loan deal includes an option for Villa to make the move permanent for a reported fee of £40 million ($50 million).
Speaking about the decision, Amorim explained that Rashford’s playing style and approach in training did not align with his own footballing philosophy,
"I couldn't convince Marcus to embrace the style of play that I believe in," Amorim said, stating the difficulty in finding common ground with the England international.
The United boss further elaborated on the complexities of coaching different players, explaining, "Sometimes a player excels under one coach but struggles under another. That’s just how football works. Rashford is a very talented player, and I truly wish him the best under Unai Emery at Aston Villa."
When asked whether Rashford had directly opposed his methods, Amorim played down any tension, describing the situation as an instinctive disconnect rather than an outright disagreement.
“It's an intuitive feeling that coaches and players share. These things happen in football," he added.
As Rashford prepares to make his Aston Villa debut in an FA Cup clash this Sunday, February 9, speculation remains about whether he will return to Old Trafford at the end of the season. Amorim, however, suggested that United had already moved on,
"Our focus is on the players here. Any further questions about Rashford should be directed to his new manager," he stated.
With his future now in the hands of Unai Emery, Rashford faces the challenge of proving himself once again.
Amorim to offload two Man Utd stars in January transfer window
Previously, TheRadar reported that Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim appears ready to make bold decisions regarding his squad, as reports from Manchester suggest the Portuguese tactician is prepared to offload two high-profile players during the January transfer window.
The former Sporting CP manager, who replaced Erik ten Hag in November, has endured a turbulent start at Old Trafford and is eager to reshape his team for the remainder of the season.
