Rio Ferdinand has opened up about why he thinks Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were dropped for Sunday's Manchester derby by new Man United boss Ruben Amorim.
Two of the Red Devils' star players were sensationally dropped by the Portuguese manager ahead of the Etihad game, leaving no room for either striker in the starting XI or on the bench.
Answering questions ahead of the match, Amorim emphasized that it was just “simple selection” and that, more cryptically, that he “pays attention to everything: the way you eat, the way you put on your clothes to go to the match to go'. game. Everything'.
Amorim's killer decision was ultimately confirmed on the pitch, with United coming from behind to take all three points from their crisis-hit crosstown rivals.
Captain Bruno Fernandes helped spark his side's late comeback after Josko Gvardiol scored a second-half goal to put Man City ahead, before Amad Diallo's stunning late winner helped secure the crucial win.
But Ferdinand has suggested that to get back into the side, both Rashford and Garnacho will need to raise their standards in all respects, suggesting Amorim may have 'heard or (seen) something that he was unhappy with' off the pitch .
“This manager doesn't seem to be the type of man to leave things aside,” the Man United legend said on his Rio Presents podcast on Tuesday. 'He seems like a very honest and straightforward man. We saw Erik ten Hag do that early on, against the players.
But over time, the consistency wasn't there across the board among other players. The team then starts poking holes in it. I'd like to think it's different with Amorim, he seems very direct, 'you're not playing – that's it and that's why'.
'I think on the training pitch he told all his staff to keep their eyes open about everything. How do these players communicate with all staff members? How are they doing when I'm not in the room? He seems like a man of details.
'He wants a harmonious environment. A good culture of respect. I think he's seen or heard a few things that he's not entirely happy with. I think something happened that has nothing to do with football. They probably haven't said hello to anyone lightheartedly or been very cordial to people.
“These small one-at-a-time centers help build a winning culture. If you let go of this, the winning culture will last even longer. Every detail: 'I don't like that, just nail it'. Punctuality, respect for teammates, etc.'
Ferdinand admitted he was 'not aware' of things happening at Carrington, but suggested Amorim's comments about behavior unrelated to performance hinted at 'something (happening) off the pitch'.
“And by the way, I love it,” the expert added.
After the final whistle, Amorim underlined his belief that neither player should see the rejection as a given, but only as an opportunity to fit into their place even better in their team.
'It's important to say why. It was not a disciplinary matter: next week, next match, new life,” he explained after the final whistle.
'They fight for places, but for me the performance in training, the performance in the match, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you treat the teammates, the way you try matters. teammates.
'Everything is important in our context. In the beginning of changing many things, when people in our club lose their jobs, we have to set the bar very high.
'To do this, they have to fight for their place in the team and today the team has proven that we can leave everyone out of the team. If we play together, you can win.”
Mail Sport announced on Tuesday evening that Rashford was sent home from training the day after the derby after a club doctor diagnosed him with a fever.
When he returns to Carrington, Rashford in particular will be keen to get started and prove himself under Manchester's new head coach after saying he has turned his attention to his next move away from his boyhood club.
In an impressive interview on Tuesday evening, the 27-year-old spoke openly about leaving Old Trafford – where he has played for 20 years – as a matter of 'when', not 'if'.
“For me personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” the 27-year-old told Henry Winter in a conversation published on social media site . You won't get any comments from me about Manchester United. That's me as a person.'
Rashford added: 'If I leave I will make a statement and it will be mine.'
The England international has been linked with a possible move abroad in recent seasons, with Paris Saint-Germain being particularly keen suitors.
Rashford will be keen to recapture his blistering form from the 2022-2023 season, which has dipped somewhat of late.
But the player was quick to show his new manager that his game is still laced with quality when he scored the first goal of the Amorim era against Ipswich after just 80 seconds last month.
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