Manchester, Jan 27: Ruben Amorim says he would rather have Manchester United’s goalkeeper coach in his squad than Marcus Rashford after appearing to question the 27-year-old’s commitment to the club.
Out-of-favour Rashford has not played for his hometown club since December 12 and seems firmly out in the cold under the United manager after again not making the squad for the 1-0 win at Fulham in the Premier League.
Amorim went as far as saying that 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital is more likely to gain minutes than the England forward.
“It’s always the same reason (why Rashford is not playing),” Amorim said Sunday on the eve of his 40th birthday. “The reason is the training, what I think a footballer should do in training, in life and every day. If things don’t change, I will not change.
“It’s the same situation for every player. If you do the maximum and the right things then we can use every player.
“Today on the bench we missed a bit of pace to change the game but I prefer it like this, I will put (in) Vital before I put (in) a player who doesn’t give the maximum every day, so I will not change in that department.”
Rashford, who campaigned against child poverty during the COVID pandemic, posted “Congratulations on the win lads” on social media. (AP)
Police investigate abuse of EPL ref Michael Oliver
London, Jan 27: English football’s match officials body says police are investigating “abhorrent attacks” aimed at Premier League referee Michael Oliver and his family following the match between Wolverhampton and Arsenal.
Oliver was the referee for Saturday’s game at Molineux which Arsenal won 1-0 after both teams had a man sent off.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the body responsible for referees in English football, said Sunday it is “appalled by the threats and abuse directed at” Oliver following the game.
“No official should be subject to any form of abuse, let along the abhorrent attacks aimed at Michael and his family over the past 24 hours,” the PGMOL said.
“The police are aware, and a number of investigations have commenced. We are supporting Michael, and all those affected, and are determined to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.”
The PGMOL said it “is not the first time a match official has been forced to deal with threats in recent times.”
Oliver’s most contentious call during the Wolves-Arsenal match was to give a straight red card to Arsenal left back Myles Lewis-Skelly for a foul committed just outside Wolves’ penalty area.
The decision was upheld by the video assistant referee after a review and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he was “absolutely fuming” at the call. (AP)