"Kissing the backside of the manager" - Pundit hits out at Manchester United stars for posts after training under Ruben Amorim

ESPN pundit Alejandro Moreno has blasted Manchester United stars Casemiro and Marcus Rashford for their social media posts following their first training session under new manager Ruben Amorim. Moreno accused both players of being a teacher's pet, claiming they were 'kissing Amorim's backside'.

Amorim recently departed Sporting CP to join Manchester United during the international break, replacing interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. The 39-year-old had the opportunity to hold his first team training on November 19. He was seen implementing his 3-4-3 formation ahead of their weekend Premier League clash against Ipswich Town (November 24).

Numerous Manchester United stars, including Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford, participated in Amorim's training session. The latter was evidently impressed as he posted on his Instagram story:

“Top session today!”

Casemiro also posted on X:

"Top training"

However, Moreno wasn't impressed by this as he said (via ESPN FC):

"I could never, never in any scenario see myself doing something like that. And look, I understand and I acknowledge that maybe things have changed. Maybe we live in a different era and a different time. Even if it was a great training session, even if it was a tough session, you don't put it out there. What is the need to do this? You're kissing Ruben Amorim's backside is what you're doing. You're the teacher's pet."

He added:

"And so I suppose Casemiro has achieved whatever he's going to achieve in the game, and I suppose he deserves some respect and appreciation. But everybody knows this, and so there's no need for him to come out and say, 'Hey, Ruben, Manchester United fans, top training session!'"

"Deliver on the field on the weekend. That's when you do your talking. All of this honestly, it's nonsense. It's teacher's pet stuff. It really is kissing the backside of the manager."

Both Rashford and Casemiro will be aiming to make this mark under Amorim. The former has struggled this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists in 18 appearances across competitions. Meanwhile, Casemiro has also had his ups and downs, netting three goals in 16 total appearances.

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"That made Antony’s move to Liverpool impossible" - Manchester United star Antony's agent explains failed Liverpool move

Antony's agent Junior Pedroso has revealed why the Manchester United star's potential move to Liverpool failed in 2022. As per The Times, the Reds were interested in signing Antony to replace Mohamed Salah, before the Egyptian King penned a three-year deal in July 2022.

This led to Antony's move falling through, as Pedroso told WinWin (via United in Focus):

“Yes, this story has some basis in truth. Salah renewed his contract with Liverpool at the time, and that made Antony’s move to Liverpool impossible."

Instead, Erik ten Hag pushed for a move to sign Antony in the same transfer window, acquiring the Brazilian from Ajax for a reported fee of £81 million. This made him the second-most expensive signing in the club's history.

Unfortunately, the move hasn't worked out for Manchester United. The 24-year-old has scored just 12 goals and provided five assists in 87 appearances across competitions. He had also lost his spot in the starting XI under Ten Hag this season, making just five appearances in total.