Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has made the bold call to leave two forwards out of his squad to take on Manchester City this afternoon.
Marcus Rashford, who scored the first goal of Amorim's rein, is thought to be surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and free to find a new club when the January transfer window opens.
He and teammate Alejandro Garnacho will not be involved when the United boss leads his team out against the reigning English Premier League champions, with Amorim claiming that he's made a "simple evaluation" to omit the duo.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Super Sunday showdown, he said: “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.
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“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.
“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.”
Manchester United legend Roy Keane made his feelings clear when discussing the decision on Sky Sports punditry duties.
"It is a big call," he commented. "He has obviously seen something he doesn't like.
"But for those who have watched Manchester United recently, it's not a big surprise because both players have been poor. He has said 'enough is enough'."
"It's a big call, but I like to see it - he has put down a marker."
