During the press conference ahead of Manchester United's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham, United manager Ruben Amorim was confronted with an unusual situation. Journalists asked him eleven questions about Marcus Rashford, but no questions about Tottenham or the match itself. Ultimately, Amorim had to shift focus and urge everyone to focus on the game against Spurs rather than fixating on Rashford.
1. Rashford said he is ready for a new challenge. What are your thoughts?
Amorim: “Well, I think he's right. We are indeed facing a new challenge. For me, this is the biggest challenge I have encountered in football because we are in a very difficult situation. As I already I said earlier, Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and this is both a new and the most difficult challenge for us. I hope my players are ready for it.”
2. Do you think he meant he was taking on challenges elsewhere? Have you spoken to him privately?
3. I understand that you need to get Marcus back to his best and keep him here. But when a player says he's ready to go, can you really expect full commitment?
4. Given his current mentality, do you think he can stay focused?
5. There have been leaks about the team lately. Will you change your preparations for this competition?
Amid these questions directed at Rashford, there was a brief moment discussing Alejandro Garnacho:
How did Garnacho react when he wasn't in the squad last Sunday? Have you spoken to him?
The subject quickly returned to Rashford:
6. Is Rashford also unhappy with that decision?
7. Have you discussed Rashford's situation with Jason Wilcox or the club? Is the club determined to keep him long-term?
8. As you understand it, does the club want Rashford to stay?
9. You left him out of the Manchester Derby due to training issues, and now he's making these comments. Doesn't this make your job as a new manager more difficult? Would you like to talk to him about being more careful with his statements?
10. Do you think this kind of incidents should happen at a big club, or should we move on and not over analyze?
Amorim replied: “I understand that it is difficult to comment on these situations. If I pay too much attention to it, headlines will appear everywhere. But if I dismiss it, it lowers my standards.”
“I will handle this internally, but the most important thing is not to divert the focus from the team and the match. The team is more important than any individual. We will evaluate these matters at the right time, but for now let's focus on concentrate on the game.”
After a brief discussion of Mason Mount, the Rashford topic came up again:
11. If you were left out of a squad as a former player, would you discuss it publicly in an interview or privately with the manager?
Amorim concluded: “If it were me, I would speak to the manager privately. But for now let's concentrate on Tottenham. The game against Spurs is what really matters.”
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