Ian Wright defends two Manchester United stars for doing something Rúben Amorim ‘doesn’t want’

Ian Wright has defended two Manchester United stars for doing something that Rúben Amorim probably didn’t want during the international break.

Up to 17 Manchester United stars have been unavailable for first-team training during the international break as Rúben Amorim takes over as the club’s manager as the new head coach.

Joining at the beginning of the break to replace Erik ten Hag, the 39-year-old has been able to take first-team training this week as he figures out which players he wants to start during the opening months of his time at the club.

Read More: Rúben Amorim has accelerated Leny Yoro’s plan in Manchester United starting XI hint

Amorim’s first game is against Ipswich Town on Sunday, 24 November. In the days before this, he will have his entire squad in training, barring injuries.

Many have been wondering who will fit best into the 3-4-3 system Amorim likes to employ, with hints that Amad Diallo is set to start as the side’s No. 10.

Wright defends two stars

Over the international break, Marcus Rashford and Casemiro caused a stir online as the pair were spotted in America to watch an NBA fixture during their allocated holiday time.

Some fans have blasted the players for choosing to fly over to the West Coast for a few days rather than stay at Carrington, with Casemiro’s family also visiting Disney World. Rashford was spotted training at Nike’s HQ in his off-time.

Speaking on Stick to Football, former United captain Gary Neville asked ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright if Amorim would be happy with the duo’s decision to fly to the USA. Wright responded by explaining that although it may not have been something Amorim wanted, the duo were perfectly entitled to their holiday time.

“Rúben Amorim, the manager, would he think, ‘Okay, that’s what I’d want my player doing, preparing for my first transition, being 12 hours away’,” Neville started.

“Would you want them on a 12-hour flight and an 8-hour time difference for 3 or 4 days? Would you, if you were Amorim, would Amorim look at it and think, ‘Yeah, that’s the right thing to do, guys, well done’?”

Wright replied: “Probably not. Look at Casemiro. Casemiro, as an experienced player, he feels like, you know, I’m going to do that. It’s his choice. Maybe he’s coming towards the end, he might be thinking, ‘well, whatever you do, I’m not really fussed’.

“And in respect to the other players who are going, it’s just their decision. If it’s a bad decision from them, from Amrin’s point of view, then he’ll relay that, won’t he?

He continued: “They’ve got more scope to go and do more things. They can fly off there and come back in time before their jet lag kicks in. They can do all that.”

Neville responded by explaining that he feels the two players should have looked into the optics of the trip, asking whether they felt Amorim or the fans would have wanted to see them away.

“I mean, maybe, look, I just think from a professionalism point of view, look at the details,” he said. “I just think, I’d ask the question, would my new manager want to see me there, would the fans?”

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