Marcus Rashford was deemed surplus to requirements by Ruben Amorim who signed a host of new players including Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens
It’s déjà vu all over again for Ruben Amorim, whose Manchester United team have carried on the dismal form that plagued them at the end of last season, despite splashing out £230million on fresh talent this summer.
The Red Devils had a hectic summer of arrivals and departures, bringing in the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens to Old Trafford. Amongst the numerous exits from United was Marcus Rashford, who moved to Barcelona on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
The England international has received glowing reviews since his switch, which might leave the 40-year-old manager rethinking his choice to let go of a player who netted 138 goals for the club. Paul Scholes has also voiced his thoughts on Amorim’s decision to keep certain players at the club.
Alongside commentary on Rashford’s La Liga debut, two United stars have faced criticism from a club legend just one month into the new season.
Here are Daily Star Sport’s latest updates from around Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford hailed as incredible
Rashford has been branded “incredible” by Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, despite Ruben Amorim dropping him from his Manchester United plans, reports the Mirror.
The England forward last featured for his hometown club in December 2024 before being dropped from the squad later that month for the Manchester City clash alongside Alejandro Garnacho. Rashford, 27, departed United a month later to join Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the campaign, where he rediscovered his best form.
Yet, when he returned to Old Trafford this summer, he found himself among five players instructed by Amorim to seek fresh opportunities elsewhere.
A switch to the Spanish heavyweights materialised for Rashford, who is currently spending the season on loan at Barcelona. Flick recently praised the forward: “I’ve been following Marcus Rashford since his early days at Manchester United and I’ve always thought he’s incredible. What I’ve seen these past few weeks is very good.”
Paul Scholes tells duo to leave
Having orchestrated Rashford’s departure, the Portuguese manager also triggered five exits through permanent transfers or loans, with Andre Onana, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho all moving on.
Nevertheless, two players who remained have faced criticism from Paul Scholes, who directed his frustration at Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw for continuing as Manchester United players.
Maguire, 32, has managed just 41 minutes of Premier League action this season, whilst Shaw, 30, has featured in every match as Scholes bemoaned their lack of physical presence and declared they fall short of their rivals’ standards.
Speaking to SPORTbible, he said: “I don’t think the system was the problem against Manchester City. It’s more the personnel. United lack real athletes,” he said before singling out Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
“In the Premier League, you almost have to be like a machine to survive, and we’ve got people like Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
“They are not at the level. In 85 to 90 percent of games, they will probably cope with people, but when you come to the bigger games, against City, Liverpool and Arsenal, they are going to fall short.”
With 29 injuries to Shaw’s name since joining United in 2014, according to Transfermarkt, Scholes questioned just how much damage the constant injuries have inflicted on his body. “You think of the injuries Shaw has had.
“He must have the body of a 40-year-old man because he’s had that many injuries and missed that much football. If he’d stayed fit, he could’ve been the best left-back in the world. Now, he’s playing left-sided centre-half. He really shouldn’t be at the club anymore.
“He should have left along with Harry Maguire in the summer. United should have brought in one or two new centre-halves.”
Maguire appears destined for a peripheral role at United this season, with Scholes suggesting his former club squandered the opportunity to pocket tens of millions by failing to offload him. “Maguire has had so much stick, it’s hard to be tough on him because he came back from it,” he explained.
“But I think they had a chance this summer to sell. They renewed his one-year option. I just didn’t understand that.
“It was a great chance for him to leave. They might have got £20 or £30 million for him. It was the ideal time. Maybe because he’s good in the dressing room, or good around the place, but football-wise, it’s just not right.”
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