Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim insisted he would rather play his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach than Marcus Rashford as he took another hit at the forward's training levels.
Rashford was once again left out of the match squad Sunday's 1-0 win over Fulham and has not featured for United since December 7, with the Red Devils prepared to listen to offers for his services this month.
While Amorim has previously refused to close the door on a potential return for Rashford, he offered his harshest assessment of the forward to date after the final whistle when asked why he had not returned to the squad.
“It's always the same reason,” Amorim began. “The reason is training, the way I see what a footballer should do. In training, in life and it's every day, every detail. So if things don't change, I won't change.
“It's the same situation for every player. If you do your best, if you do the right things, we can use any player.
“And you can see it today on the bench – we lack a bit of pace to go, to change the game, to move some parts, but I prefer it that way. I will decide (goalkeeping coach Jorge) Vital before I decide A player that doesn't give his best every day, so I'm not going to change that.”
Rashford did not respond to Amorim's comments after the game but took to social media to congratulate his team-mates on their victory.
United are keen to find a buyer for Rashford, either permanent or temporary, but the options available to the England international are limited and Barcelona believed to be the only viable lawsuit going into the final week of transfer window
Barcelona are keen to sign Rashford on loan but need to sell players to make room in their wage budget before making a bid.