Exclusive: Ruben Amorim Needed to "Make an Example" of Marcus Rashford, Says Ex-Defender

Former Manchester United star Danny Higginbotham knows exactly why new manager Ruben Amorim has “made an example of” out-of-favour striker Marcus Rashford.

Portuguese boss Amorim sent shockwaves through Old Trafford earlier this month when, following a 1-0 victory over Fulham, he claimed he would rather play the club’s 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital than the England international.

Rashford last started a game for United on December 12th, after being selected to face Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. 

But the former England hitman has failed to appear on the pitch since then with Amorim’s startling admission marking a new low in a career which has spiralled dramatically out of control since being awarded a fresh £325,000 a week contract 18 months ago.

Danny Higginbotham, who came through the ranks at Old Trafford under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, told Sportsboom.com: “I don’t know the inside story on what’s going on with Marcus. But I can take a good guess, an educated guess." 

“Amorim will have come in with certain standards. Those will be standards that he’ll expect everyone to adhere to."

“He’ll want to let people know he’s the leader, that he’s in charge and that’s the end of it. If anyone slips below those standards then he’s going to want to hammer home that message in the most forceful way possible because he has to."

“Is there anyone bigger to take on at United than Marcus? He’s certainly one of the best paid players in the league and, with his profile, doing that is certainly going to make an impact - a big one."

“It’s unfortunate for Marcus but, looking in, I think Amorim has made an example of him for that reason.”

Rashford, 27, has been on the books at United since he was seven years of age and grew-up supporting the team. 

He made his senior debut during a Europa League tie against Midtylland in February 2016, going to make a further 425 appearances before that game against the Czech’s. 

Seven of the 139 goals he has scored in United colours have come this term, including a brace during a 4-0 victory over Everton.

OUTSPOKEN FIGURE

Appointed in November following a hugely successful spell in charge of Sporting Lisbon, Amorim has proven an outspoken figure at United - labelling the squad he inherited as the “worst” team in the club’s history before publicly confronting Rashford. 

That outburst seems to have edged the England international closer to the exit door, although his wages could prove prohibitive to a move.

Higginbotham, now a well-known commentator and analyst in the USA, said: “People forget, because he’s been around so long, that Marcus is now regarded as one of United’s senior players."

“When I came through, I was so, so fortunate to be training with people like Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Jaap Stam and Denis Irwin."

“I was like a sponge, listening to them speak and trying to soak up all that knowledge. That’s what you are when you’re a young player, you’re a sponge trying to take on as much information and advice as possible."

“And that’s why I think Amorim is so determined to show that he’s the leader, because it’s something he simply has to do."

“In that group, because the standards they demanded of those around them were so high, training was as hard if not harder than the games themselves."

"You just seamlessly slipped into matches because the training was so intense. The whole thing seamlessly flowed."

“I don’t know Marcus or Ruben personally,” Higginbotham added. 

“But maybe, for Marcus, it’s best for him to have a fresh start."

“Then again, in football, there is always a way back. You can never say never, no matter what it looks like from the outside."

“It depends on what he wants to do and how he responds.”