Former Manchester United star David Beckham described Sunday's 2-1 derby win over Manchester City as a 'big win' in a cryptic social media post.
United, led by new boss Ruben Amorim for the first time in a derby, lost until the 88th minute thanks to a first-half goal from Josko Gvardiol.
But Bruno Fernandes equalized from a penalty before Amad Diallo – who had won the penalty – scored a late winner.
Despite Sunday's impressive result, United remain in the bottom half of the Premier League after a poor start to the season, largely under former boss Erik ten Hag.
Amorim now has four wins in seven games to his name since replacing Ten Hag, having made significant changes to tactics and team selection.
The ex-Sporting manager made the brave decision to leave Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of his squad for Sunday's match, despite later admitting both players were fit.
While it is not clear he was referring directly to Rashford and Garnacho, Beckham appeared to subtly insult a number of United players in a 15-word message posted to Instagram on Sunday evening.
Beckham – who is now president and co-owner of Inter Miami – wrote: “And the rebuilding begins. Big win. Big win for players who want to wear this shirt.'
The post was accompanied by a photo of star man Amad kissing the United badge on his shirt at the Etihad Stadium.
Former United captain Roy Keane – who played alongside Beckham at Old Trafford in the 1990s and 2000s – worked as a pundit for Sky Sports during Sunday's match.
Speaking about Rashford and Garnacho, Keane said: 'We have to see how they react to this big disappointment of being left out of the squad in a big game – a big call from the manager… he's putting a mark on these players.
'I think a move from Marcus would certainly suit the player. He has been at the club for a long time, a new challenge [would be good].'
Keane added: 'Whatever the talent, if your attitude at a big club isn't good, and his certainly hasn't been great lately… sometimes it's good to part ways.'
Rashford has spent his entire club career so far at United.
Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 first-team appearances for the Red Devils – one every 3.09 games. But he has found the net just 15 times in 67 games this season and last, with an average of one goal every 4.47 games.
The 27-year-old's current contract at Old Trafford expires in June 2028. However, Spanish publication Fichajes recently claimed that United could be open to letting him go in January.
Argentine winger Garnacho has been a United player since October 2020, when he joined from Atletico Madrid.
The 20-year-old has scored 23 goals in 110 appearances for the Premier League club so far.
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