Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has addressed the controversy surrounding his exclusion from the starting XI in the highly anticipated Manchester Derby, which saw United suffer a 3-0 defeat to rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford. Manager Rúben Amorim’s decision to bench the England international sparked widespread debate among fans and pundits, with many questioning the rationale behind sidelining one of the club’s most prominent attacking threats.
In an interview following the match, Rashford expressed his disappointment but maintained his professionalism, stating, “Every player wants to be on the pitch for big games, especially a derby like this. I respect the manager’s decision, but of course, I’m frustrated. I’ll keep working hard to earn my place back in the starting lineup.”
Rashford, who has struggled to replicate last season’s scintillating form, admitted that his recent performances had not been up to his usual standards. “I know I haven’t been at my best, but I believe in my ability. I’m focused on improving and helping the team whenever I’m called upon.”
Amorim, speaking to the press after the game, defended his tactical decision, explaining that he opted for a more compact approach against Pep Guardiola’s side. “We needed to be disciplined defensively, and I felt we had other options that suited our game plan better. Rashford is an important player for us, and he remains a big part of our plans moving forward.”
The decision to bench Rashford coincided with United’s sixth defeat of the season, intensifying scrutiny on Amorim, who has faced growing pressure since taking over at the start of the campaign. Fans voiced their displeasure at the manager’s lineup and questioned whether United’s inconsistent performances stem from his tactical experiments.
Despite the setback, Rashford remains optimistic about the team’s prospects. “It’s a tough result to take, but we need to stick together as a team and keep pushing forward. There’s still a lot of football to be played this season.”
United now face a crucial run of fixtures as they look to regain form and climb the Premier League table. Whether Rashford can reclaim his starting spot and help inspire a turnaround remains to be seen, but his commitment to the club appears unwavering.
Madmo Correspondence
