Ruben Amorim Responds to Gary Neville’s Criticism of Marcus Rashford and Casemiro for Traveling to the U.S. During International Break While Manchester United Struggles

New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has come to the defense of Marcus Rashford and Casemiro, who faced criticism for their trips to the United States during the international break.

The players were questioned for not adhering to higher standards of professionalism, but Amorim believes their actions were within reason.

Rashford’s NBA Trip

Marcus Rashford, who was once again left out of England’s final Nations League matches by manager Lee Carsley, took advantage of his time off by traveling to the U.S.

There, he attended an NBA game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden last Friday.

Rashford’s decision to enjoy his downtime in such a way sparked some debate, particularly about his focus during a challenging period for the club.

Casemiro’s Family Trip

Meanwhile, Casemiro also made the most of the international break, heading to Orlando with his family.

The Brazilian midfielder shared photos from Disney World on Instagram, showcasing some downtime with his loved ones.

While his choice of destination seemed harmless to some, it too raised questions about the player’s commitment to the team’s challenges.

Gary Neville’s Criticism

Gary Neville was one of the critics who questioned the players’ professionalism.

During an interview on Sky Sports, Neville shared his thoughts with Amorim, asking if he was comfortable with the players’ decisions to travel abroad during a tough time for the club.

Neville, recalling his time at United, felt the players’ focus should have been entirely on preparing for the season ahead.

“You’re looking at a club sitting 13th in the league, with a recently sacked manager.

It’s a difficult period, and the new manager is about to come in. The focus and preparation are critical,” Neville pointed out.

He questioned whether traveling to the U.S. was the best use of their time off.

Amorim’s Response: Players Are Free to Make Their Own Decisions

Amorim responded by explaining that the players were given five days off and had the freedom to decide how to spend that time.

“They are big boys, they have families, and they make their own decisions. The real issue here is that the club sets the standards. It’s up to us to manage whether they get three days or five days off,” Amorim explained.

The new manager emphasized that it wasn’t for the players to decide on restrictions like flying during their break—if the club had set a rule against traveling, the players would have respected that.

“They were told they had five days off and could do what they wanted. It’s not on the players,” he said.

Amorim acknowledged that the club’s standards would need to improve moving forward, but it wasn’t the players’ fault in this case.

A Shift in Club Culture

Amorim further elaborated on how times have changed at Manchester United.

He highlighted that the culture Neville experienced was one of strong leadership and established standards.

“Back in your day, there was a strong leadership, and you felt that your teammates would hold you accountable,” Amorim said.

“Now, we have to acknowledge that we need to start from the club. The responsibility falls on us to set better standards.”

While Neville’s comments about professionalism, body care, and preparation were valid, Amorim argued that the players’ choices were made within the parameters they were given.

The new manager is focused on changing the club’s internal standards and making sure future decisions align with a more disciplined approach.

Neville’s Concerns About Professionalism

Neville continued to voice his concerns, particularly about the players’ decisions affecting their physical condition.

On a podcast, he stressed the importance of looking after one’s body, especially when considering the long flights and potential for jet lag or stiffness.

“It’s not just about getting away; it’s about making sure you’re prepared for the next training session,” Neville remarked, suggesting that the choice of destination was questionable in terms of professional preparation.

For Neville, the issue was less about the players’ right to relax and more about the impact their travel could have on their fitness for upcoming games.

He pointed out that Casemiro, in particular, could have been more mindful of the physical strain of long-haul flights after representing Brazil.

He believes the trip could affect the player’s performance in future matches.

Moving Forward

As Amorim takes charge of Manchester United, the focus will be on adjusting the club’s culture and setting clearer standards.

Both Rashford and Casemiro were given the freedom to take a break, but Amorim is determined to ensure that future decisions are more aligned with the club’s goals.

For now, it’s clear that the responsibility for setting these standards lies with the club—and Amorim is ready to lead that change.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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