“He has to be able to do what he wants” - Alan Shearer picks side in Marcus Rashford vs Ruben Amorim row at Manchester United

Alan Shearer has picked a side in the ongoing Marcus Rashford vs Ruben Amorim row at Manchester United. After head coach Amorim joined the club in early November, Rashford looked like he would be an important part of the future at Old Trafford but that has not been the case.

Rashford scored in Ruben Amorim's first game in charge - a 1-1 draw against Ipswich at Portman Road on November 24. He also scored a brace in their 4-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford on December 1. However, these league games were followed by two substitute appearances against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

The English forward has not played another game for Manchester United after the 3-2 loss to Forest on December 7. He has been left out of four matchday squads so far, and this looks to be a pattern set to continue into the new year. The 27-year-old winger has also openly spoken about wanting to leave the club.

Rashford has been frozen out ever since, and discussing the situation, Alan Shearer has urged the Red Devils to back Ruben Amorim. He said (via Express):

"They have to back Amorim. They've brought him in because it hasn't been anywhere near good enough and he needs to sort that mess out. He has to be able to do what he wants, and the situation with Marcus Rashford will be sorted out, whether it's sorted out in January."

"I guess both parties will come to an agreement, but that's part of the process of who he wants to get out of the club and who he wants to bring in. Clearly, it isn't a healthy situation for the club, if Marcus doesn't want to be there and the manager doesn't want him there either."

Shearer continued:

"If that is the case, then it's best for both parties that something sooner rather than later is sorted out – that's easier said than done when you're on a huge contract."

Rashford will likely not be a part of the matchday squad to end the year when Manchester United welcomes Newcastle United to Old Trafford later today (December 30).

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"We want to be competitive" - Ruben Amorim on Manchester United's final game of 2024

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim spoke to the press ahead of the Red Devils' clash against Newcastle United. The Mancunian giants currently sit in the lower half of the Premier League table - in 14th place - and it will be a task to take points off the Magpies, who are in seventh.

Discussing his expectations for the match and the challenge he expects to face from Eddie Howe's side, Amorim said (via the club's official website):

"We have to expect that any play from Newcastle near our box is going to make the stadium nervous and our players have to cope with that. It is a very strong team, very fast, with a lot of pace and a lot of time with the same coach. We want to be competitive and try to win the game. That is all."

Ruben Amorim has had a poor start to life with Manchester United, having led them to just four wins in his first 10 games. He has lost five matches so far and will hope to turn things around in 2025.