Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has sparked controversy by stating he would rather put his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach, Jorge Vital, on the bench than choose forward Marcus Rashford, citing a lack of commitment from the England international.

Amorim's remarks come after Rashford has been excluded from the squad for over a month, missing the latest Premier League match against Fulham, which United won 1-0. This absence is attributed to ongoing frustrations regarding Rashford's training and overall application. "It's always the same reason," Amorim clarified, emphasizing that he expects maximum dedication from every player. "If things don’t change, I will not change,” he reiterated, illustrating his zero-tolerance policy for perceived laziness.

Despite rumors of possible moves from the club, including interest from teams like AC Milan and Barcelona, it remains uncertain what the future holds for Rashford according to The Guardian. Meanwhile, internal discussions at Manchester United have pointed towards a lack of effort from some players, highlighting deeper issues within the squad under Amorim's management.

Former players and commentators have supported Amorim's stance. Ex-Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger noted that "if you don’t train hard and dedicate your life, you won’t be in the team," validating the manager's tough approach. Rashford himself acknowledged the team's recent successes via social media, indicating that there may be no hard feelings despite his exclusion from play per AP News.

The victory at Fulham marked Amorim's fourth Premier League win since taking charge of Manchester United, and although the performance was underwhelming, it adds some relief amid ongoing criticism. "Today was not the best match but we managed to win," Amorim commented in a statement to Reuters. In his defense of squad selections, he noted that he would prefer to include a dedicated staff member before accommodating players who are not ready to give their all.

While Amorim acknowledged his challenges at United, he humorously quipped on his birthday, "After two months at Manchester United, it's 50," highlighting the pressure he's been under. As the transfer window closes soon, all eyes will be on Rashford and the potential for changes in team dynamics moving forward.