Ruben Amorim explains why he dropped Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from Man Utd squad for Man City game

Manchester United continue their challenging Premier League campaign after a midweek Europa League win against Viktoria Plzen.

The Red Devils head into their clash at the Etihad in 13th place, with only 19 points earned this season.

Amorim’s team has suffered back-to-back league defeats, losing to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. Ahead of the derby against Manchester City, the Portuguese manager has excluded Rashford, who has been linked with a move away from the club, and Garnacho from the matchday squad.

When asked about their omission, Amorim told Sky Sports: “We try to evaluate everything—training performance, game performances, engagement with teammates, push their teammates up. 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.”

He continued: “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.”

Rashford started in the 2-1 win in Czechia but was substituted just before the hour mark, following an exchange with Amorim after being taken off.

Garnacho came on as a substitute during the match.

Both Rashford and Garnacho will miss the Manchester derby.