Why Marcus Rashford & Alejandro Garnacho are OMITTED from Man United’s squad vs Man City

Marcus Rashford is not in Manchester United’s squad as Rúben Amorim faces Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Rúben Amorim is preparing Manchester United for a pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester City, a defining moment early in his time as head coach.

United enter the fixture with renewed confidence after a 2-1 comeback victory over FC Viktoria Plzeň in the Europa League, where substitute Rasmus Højlund scored twice to turn the game around. Now, the focus shifts back to domestic action during a packed festive schedule.

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Manchester City are struggling for form, having won just one of their last ten games across all competitions. Earlier this season, Rúben Amorim’s Sporting handed Pep Guardiola a humiliating 4-1 defeat, a result that still resonates in City’s rocky campaign.

As City’s push for a fifth consecutive Premier League title falters, United will look to heap more misery on their rivals and climb from 13th place when the two sides face off at the Etihad Stadium.

Rashford and Garnacho absences

While United have a mostly fit squad to place Manchester City, it was revealed on Sunday afternoon that wingers Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were not part of Amorim’s selection to face Guardiola’s men.

Club sources have confirmed that neither player is injured, and both trained at the club’s Carrington facilities this morning. Both players have not been selected by Amorim due to recent poor performances.

Garnacho’s absence is unrelated to recent online speculation linking him with leaks of United’s starting XIs ahead of the official announcements.

“We try to evaluate everything training performance, game performances, engagement with teammates, push their teammates up,” Amorim said when asked about the decision. “Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players. It is my selection. Simple.

“I don’t want to send a message it is simply an evaluation and they know it. The players are really, really smart. Everybody understands my decision and I have to choose. It is simple selection.

“Of course the context is difficult because we have to win games and we have a difficult situation now. I pay attention to everything, the way you eat, the way you put your clothes to go to a game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I decide.

“There is a communication after the last training. They are alright. They had training this morning and I was there. They trained really well.”

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