'I will continue with my idea' - Ruben Amorim explains why Marcus Rashford left out of the team

Ruben Amorim, the manager of Manchester United, has stated that the team's performance will not affect Marcus Rashford's continued ban from the first team. As Wolverhampton Wanderers will undoubtedly gladly point out, another United game meant another Rashford omission and another loss.

On Boxing Day, the Red Devils lost 2-0 at Molineux when Bruno Fernandes was sent off before goals from Hwang Hee-chan and Matheus Cunha. Rashford was benched for the fourth consecutive game. The England international expressed his desire for a "new challenge" shortly after being benched for the Manchester derby earlier this month. Since then, Amorim has not brought the forward back, merely stating hazily that his prolonged absence is due to his actions during training.

Without Marcus Rashford, Manchester United defeated City in the final seconds, but they have since lost to Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur, and Bournemouth. Amorim refused to let the results play a role in Rashford's inclusion, even though his team is stuck in 14th place with about half of the season left. He strengthened his resolve.

"It's always the same reason it's going to be," the Portuguese boss defiantly declared. "We have to be the same professionals, the same guys, winning or losing. I have to be stronger. I will continue with my idea until the end."

Ruben Amorim needs to rebuild Manchester United

Rashford's direct response to the question of whether he had done anything during training to influence Amorim's decision was, "If he's not here, you can make your mind up." Amorim will not have his captain Fernandes for United's upcoming match because he was suspended rather than selected. On Monday, the captain will miss Newcastle United's Premier League visit after receiving his third red card of the season for two unnecessary yellow cards at Molineux.

Rashford will probably be sidelined with Fernandes unless he achieves something spectacular over the course of the next four days. Amorim brushed aside any thoughts of qualifying for European tournaments, emphasising the importance of rebuilding instead.