By SABC Sport
26th December 2024
Rashford and Garnacho are two players who have not benefitted from Ruben Amorim's arrival at Old Trafford. The pair were left out of Amorim's matchday squad for the Manchester derby two weekends ago, which Man Utd won through a dramatic late comeback.
Garnacho has since returned to the fold with a pair of substitute appearances in the defeats to Tottenham (League Cup) and Bournemouth. Rashford, meanwhile, has remained out in the cold.
When speaking to SportsCasting, former Manchester City player of the year, Shaun Wright-Phillips, highlighted what he believes is the biggest issue affecting the out-of-favour forwards.
Wright-Phillips pointed to Amorim's customary 3-4-3 formation, with Rashford and Garnacho now lacking a natural position in the system.
"I think, not because of talent, but Rashford and Garnacho have got a problem because they're not used to playing that 10 position, both of them are used to being very wide," explained Wright-Phillips.
"He doesn't play wide wingers; he plays with wing-backs, and I don't think either of those two could be a wing-back.
"I think they're going to find it hard to get into Amorim's team in terms of attacking positions because I don't think he knows his front two or three yet.
"Amorim has tried (Joshua) Zirkzee and Rasmus (Hojlund), and both are completely different sort of strikers.
"He messes around with the two number 10s, but I don't think it is going to work for all of United's attacking players unless he teaches them how to play that role.
"I can see Amorim bringing in a few of his own players in the summer or even in January if he can get them."
Rashford and Garnacho have made their names by operating as wingers who are at their deadliest when cutting in off the flank and haring down on goal.
But in Amorim's system, it is the wing-backs who provide the width. Elsewhere, Amorim prefers the two spots either side of the striker to be more creative-minded and technical players like Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount rather than wingers like Rashford and Garnacho.
Rashford has been put up for sale and looks a likely candidate to depart to help fund Man Utd's rebuild.
As a homegrown player, the proceeds from Rashford's sale would be logged as pure profit on the balance sheet.
Transfer insider, Rudy Galetti, told media on Christmas Eve that Man Utd hope to collect between £50m-£60m from Rashford's sale.
We've also been informed a transfer to mainland Europe is the likeliest outcome, though a summer sale and not an exit in January is expected.
Regarding Garnacho, a sensational report from Caught Offside recently claimed a six-month loan agreement that contains a ã60m option to buy was in the works.
The report did not specify which club would be making that proposal, though did narrow it down to seven giant sides - two of which are in the Premier League.
Garnacho represents one of Man Utd's most valuable assets given the ability he's shown and his age (20).
It would be a surprise to see United give up on a player of his unquestionable talent, though if they are serious about overhauling Amorim's squad, sacrifices and difficult decisions will have to be made.