Ruben Amorim’s first major Manchester United call pays off to send message to dropped duo
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Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United: Amad Diallo’s inspired performance in the comeback win showed exactly what Amorim expects - Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho should take note. It was bold. It was brave. And for 88 minutes it looked very foolish indeed. But this is why Ruben Amorim has been tasked with being Manchester United’s saviour. From the minute he walked in the door, he promised short-term pain for long-term game. It seemed, however, he had taken things a step too far. Whatever Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho had done to be omitted from the squad for a crucial Manchester derby, it should not have come at the cost of his team getting a result at the Etihad.
![[Amorim is setting the standards at Man Utd]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/15/20/GettyImages-2190094819.jpg)
Amad Diallo, in winning an 88th minute penalty and firing a sensational winner, instead gave Amorim the ultimate justification for making the big calls, even for the biggest games. Many will say such courage has long been conspicuous by its absence around Old Trafford. Amad is already Amorim’s posterboy for this high intensity, high press game he wants to instil at United. Rashford and Garnacho, already, are anything but.
![[Diallo beat Ederson to the ball to score United’s dramatic winner]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/15/20/GettyImages-2190098378-%281%29.jpg)
“It’s important to say why: was not a disciplinary thing,” Amorim said of the decision to leave Rashford and Garnacho training at Carrington instead of in his derby squad. “Next week, next game, new life, they are fighting for their places but for me it’s important, the performance in training, the performance in game, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with teammates, the way you push your teammates.
