Rashford and Garnacho issue that may see them leave Man Utd even if they work hard - pundit

Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho's problem with Ruben Amorim has been pinpointed and could see them leave even if they work hard.

The pair have struggled to adapt under Ruben Amorim’s leadership at Old Trafford.

Both players were omitted from the squad for the Manchester derby two weeks ago, a match United won with a stunning late comeback.

Garnacho has since made two substitute appearances in defeats to Tottenham (League Cup) and Bournemouth, while Rashford remains sidelined entirely.

Speaking to SportsCasting, former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips explained why he believes the pair are struggling under Amorim, highlighting the 3-4-3 formation as the root of the problem.

“I think, not because of talent, but Rashford and Garnacho have got a problem because they’re not used to playing that 10 position,” Wright-Phillips explained.

“Both of them are used to being very wide. He doesn’t play wide wingers; he plays with wing-backs, and I don’t think either of those two could be a wing-back.

“I think they’re going to find it hard to get into Amorim’s team in terms of attacking positions because I don’t think he knows his front two or three yet.

“Amorim has tried [Joshua] Zirkzee and Rasmus [Højlund], and both are completely different sorts of strikers.

“He messes around with the two number 10s, but I don’t think it is going to work for all of United’s attacking players unless he teaches them how to play that role.

“I can see Amorim bringing in a few of his own players in the summer or even in January if he can get them.”

Rashford and Garnacho have excelled as wingers, utilizing their speed and directness to cut inside from wide positions.

However, in Amorim’s system, width is provided by the wing-backs, while the attacking roles flanking the striker demand technical and creative players like Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount rather than traditional wingers.

Rashford, who has been placed on the transfer list, appears destined to leave as United look to fund their rebuild.

A sale of the academy graduate would count as pure profit on the club’s balance sheet.

Transfer expert Rudy Galetti told TEAMtalk on Christmas Eve that United are aiming for a fee between £50m and £60m for Rashford, with a move to mainland Europe being the most likely outcome.

A summer departure, rather than a January exit, is anticipated.

As for Garnacho, Caught Offside recently claimed a six-month loan deal with a £60m option to buy is being discussed.

The report did not identify the interested club but noted that seven major sides, including two from the Premier League, are in the mix.

At just 20 years old, Garnacho remains one of United’s brightest prospects.

It would be a surprise to see the club part with a player of his potential, but if Amorim is to reshape the squad in his image, sacrifices and tough decisions may be unavoidable.