'The reason is...' - Ruben Amorim gives strongest explanation yet why Marcus Rashford is not playing

Ruben Amorim says he would sooner play his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than any player who does not give ‘the maximum everyday’ for Manchester United in his latest explanation why Marcus Rashford is not playing.

The 27-year-old has not played in any of the last 10 matches for United across all competitions and was absent from their travelling squad for the trip to face Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday night.

Rashford has not played for United since he admitted he was ‘ready for a new challenge’ last month and has only been named on the bench once, when they faced a squad shortage for the home league defeat to Newcastle.

The United academy graduate returned to first-team training last week but has not featured for the club in over a month and will have to work hard to change his situation at the club. United are open to offers for Rashford this month but might have to reintegrate him amid a lack of viable suitors who could pay his hefty wages as well as a transfer fee.

Speaking after the late win over Fulham, Amorim was asked for an update on Rashford and why he is still not selected despite returning to training. "It’s the same, it’s always the same reason. The reason is the training, the way I see what footballers should do in training, in life, it’s every day, every detail. So if things don’t change, I will not change. It’s the same situation for every player. If you do the maximum, if you do the right things, we can use every player.

"And you can see it today on the bench, we miss a little bit of pace to go and change the game, move some pieces. But I prefer it like that. I will put Vital on before I put a player on that don’t give the maximum every day. So I will not change in that department."