Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has insisted that Marcus Rashford's continued exile from the first team will not be affected by the club's results.
Another United game brought another Rashford absence and, as Wolverhampton Wanderers would no doubt gleefully point out, another defeat. The Red Devils were well beaten in one Defeated 2-0 at Molineux on Boxing Day after Bruno Fernandes was sent off before goals from Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan.
Rashford sat out for the fourth straight game. Shortly after being dropped for the Manchester derby earlier this month, the Englishman revealed his desire for a “new challengeAmorim has not reinstated the striker since then, only vaguely explaining his continued absence as a result of his behind-the-scenes behavior in training.
United grabbed a last-minute win against Rashford-less City but have since been beaten by Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth and most recently the Wolves.
With his side in 14th place with almost half of the campaign gone, Amorim refused to be swayed by results when it comes to Rashford's inclusion. If anything, he doubled down on his decision.
“It's always the same reason it will be”, the Portuguese coach declared defiantly. “We have to be the same professionals, the same guys, win or lose. Losing, I have to be stronger. I will continue with my idea until the end.”
When asked if Rashford had done anything in training to change Amorim's mind, he united the boss answered bluntly: “If he is not here, you can make up your own mind.”
Suspension rather than selection will rob Amorim of his captaincy Fernandes for United's next match. After receiving his third red card of the season for two unnecessary yellow cards at Molineux, the captain will play in the Premier League at Newcastle United on Monday.
Unless he does something dramatic over the next four days, Rashford is likely to join Fernandes. As Amorim told the BBC Match of the day: “I just do what I think is best for the team.”